The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand said that the election re-runs should be organised no later than 28 April, ensuring that they do not clash with the King’s coronation rite from 4-6 May.

Under the Thai constitution, parliament must convene its first meeting within 15 days after the official results of the counting of at least 95% of votes is announced on 9 May.

According to EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, the commission has received 326 complaints in connection with prospective winners in 66 constituencies since the voting on 24 March.

Earlier, the EC ordered re-elections at six polling stations in Bangkok, Lampang, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok and Yasothon provinces as the number of voters who turned up did not match the number of marked ballots, and the recounting of votes at two stations in Khon Kaen province because the first counts were inconsistent with the number of voters and marked ballots.

Ittiporn Boonpracong said that the EC’s decision to seek a Constitutional Court ruling on its method of calculating and allocating party-list seats will not affect the endorsement of official poll results on 9 May.

Thailand held its general election on 24 March at more than 92,000 constituencies across the nation. The EC’s preliminary results with over 95% of votes counted showed that the Palang Pracha Rath party that supports Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha won the most popular votes nationwide, followed by the Pheu Thai party.

(Source: VNA)