Standoff between Thai govt, protesters intensifies after polls

Bangkok: Protesters today vowed to step up their fight against the embattled Thai government, saying they would ask the Constitutional Court to nullify violence-plagued polls, a move that could push the polarised nation deeper into turmoil and pave the way for an army intervention. The anti-government protesters disrupted voting in more than 10,000 polling stations during yesterday’s snap polls, disenfranchising over 10 million voters and forcing authorities to cancel balloting at several places. [caption id=“attachment_1372131” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Protests in Thailand. AP image[/caption] Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said a legal challenge to the “illegitimate” poll would be mounted in the Constitutional Court as it “did not reflect the intention of the constitution or the people”. The government claimed “victory” in the polls, with the ruling Pheu Thai party bent on confronting protesters as they threatened to challenge the poll in court. With the intransigent attitude of both the government and the protesters, political limbo appears imminent, opening the door for the powerful military to intervene, observers said. The Election Commission (EC) put the unofficial turnout in the polls at 45.8 per cent, but opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban claimed the turnout in the capital was the lowest ever for a general election. Protesters led by the People’s Democratic Reforms Committee (PDRC) today marched across Bangkok and pledged to shut more government buildings to press their demand for beleaguered premier Yingluck Shinawatra to step down. “We want reform first, after the 20 per cent voter turnout yesterday [in Bangkok area] - the lowest turnout for a general election in Thai history,” Suthep said, adding the protesters have to “continue the fight.” Protest spokesman Akanat Promphan said: “According to the constitution the election must be held on the same day. It was impossible to do it…It’s clear that this election must be nullified.” Fresh polling will be held for those who could not their franchise yesterday and during advance voting on January 26. The February 2 polls would likely become null and void and the only solution to the political problem is for the government to resign, Akanat said. Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, overseeing the government’s security response to the protests, warned protesters to vacate all government offices by February 6 or face arrest. PTI