The Election Commission (EC) will meet the caretaker government on Wednesday to discuss plans for the proposed July 20 election, secretary-general Phuchong Nutrawong said yesterday.
He said the meeting will focus mainly on whether the acting caretaker prime minister has the authority to submit a royal decree on the fresh poll for His Majesty the King’s endorsement.
The government had previously requested a meeting with the EC today, but the poll agency had to postpone as its members are tied up with the Royal Ploughing ceremony, Mr Phuchong said.
Acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisarn, caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng and representatives from the Information and Communication Technology and Defence ministries will be invited.
He said three issues will be raised. First, the meeting will look at the legality of Mr Niwatthamrong submitting a royal decree for His Majesty’s endorsement, as opinions differ on whether an acting caretaker premier has the authority to do so.
Second, the EC will ask to attach conditions to the royal decree to guarantee that the fresh poll will not be disrupted by unrest. It follows debate between the EC and the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, on the royal decree required for the July 20 poll.
The council rejected the EC’s suggestion that a clause be included stating that in the event of a unexpected incident that prevents the election from proceeding, the EC would be authorised to tell the caretaker prime minister to issue a new royal decree specifying a new election day.
Thirdly, the EC wants to stress the need to ensure the new poll will not fall victim to the same problems which led to the Feb 2 poll being nullified.
The charter court voided the Feb 2 poll because it was not held on a single day due to disruptions from anti-government protesters.