Yingluck ''relieved'' after poll date
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Yingluck ''relieved'' after poll date

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday that she was relieved that the country will go to the polls again.

Ms Yingluck said she was not the only one who felt that way as the sentiment was shared by everybody who has watched as the country has been run without a permanent administration for four months.

The prime minister announced the House dissolution on Dec 9 last year and the caretaker government has had to continue administrative duties after the Constitutional Court's ruling that the Feb 2 polls were nullified as they could not be held in one day as required by the charter.

She reiterated her intention to hold talks with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on his plan to find a solution acceptable by all parties to the political turmoil.

But she called on the Democrats not to set conditions as the country is gearing up for new polls.

The government and the Election Commission on Wednesday settled on July 20 as the new poll date.

Mr Abhisit said on Thursday he would not run in the election if all sides agreed to his plan.

He also slammed the rush to hold a new election, saying it underscored government attempts to hold on to power.

Pheu Thai Party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed Mr Abhisit's comments, saying his decision could not shape the future of the elections.

Permanent secretary for defence Nipat Thonglek and air force chief Prajin Juntong also threw their backing behind the new poll.

Gen Nipat said the new poll showed ''the light at the end of the tunnel'' after the previous election had been scrapped.

ACM Prajin urged the Democrat leader to run in the election as it would be a way out for the country from the crisis.

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