The Election Commission (EC) has set three conditions for its Wednesday talks with the caretaker government on how to hold the July 20 national poll.
Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said on Monday the EC expected acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongpaisarn to show up personally on Wednesday, prepared to "clearly discuss" two other issues.
Mr Somchai, who is in charge of scheduling the poll, said it is important to the EC that Mr Niwatthamrong handle the talks personally, and not send caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchaana on his behalf.
Mr Pongthep has no authority to make a final decision, Mr Somchai said, and if the talks were not started and concluded in one session, it would be "a waste of time" to hold a second meeting.
He added that other ministers whose duties are involved with the election should take part, including the acting ministers of interior, defence and education.
The second condition is that the EC wants legal and clear opinions over whether Mr Niwatthamrong, acting as caretaker premier, is legally authorised to forward the draft royal decree for a new poll to His Majesty the King.
Finally, the EC wants the government’s view on its proposal that in the event of emergency incidents, the caretaker prime minister is willing to issue another royal decree draft to postpone the poll.
Mr Somchai said the condition must be attached to the decree for a new election tentatively planned for July 20 to prevent a repeat of losses incurred by trying to push ahead with the Feb 2 poll, later annulled in total by the courts.
“If the government disagrees with the conditions, talks will continue until we can reach a conclusion. The government has no authority to forward the draft royal decree (on its own) because the EC must draft it,” he added.