Thailand to hold reelection on Dec. 11

Source: Xinhua | 12-04-2008 08:00

BANGKOK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Election Commission (EC) chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said Wednesday that the reelection date will be on December 11 after the Constitution Court on Tuesday ruled to dissolve the ruling People Power Party (PPP), Matchima Thipataya Party and Chart Thai Party parties on electoral fraud charges.

Apichart said the reelection will take place in 26 constituencies in 22 provinces after the court banned all executives from the three disbanded parties, many of whom were members of parliament, from electoral process for five years as punishment in line with the 2007 Constitution.

Somchai Wongsawat, as PPP acting leader, lost his job as prime minister and MP immediately as the dissolution verdict was handed down.

The EC will ask the caretaker cabinet to consider issuing a royal decree on December 9 to hold the reelection at the latest, Apichart said.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei