Today at 16:10 hrs., the Election Commission, chaired by Mr. Supachai Somcharoen, made an announcement on the overall situation of the general elections held earlier. Gist as follows:

1. The Election Commission has faced many challenges and obstacles since 12 December 2013, when it announced the date of the general elections. Many of the Commission’s provincial offices have been closed by PDRC protesters. Many of its officers also came under tremendous pressure from the PDRC. 28 constituent districts were unable to open for registration of election candidates. The Commission thus decided to submit a formal request to the Prime Minister on 12 January 2014 for the Government to consider postponing the general elections scheduled for 2 February 2014. The Constitutional Court ruled on 24 January 2014 that such a postponement was legally permissible. However, the Prime Minister and Cabinet could not reach an agreement with the Election Commission on the postponement. The election was therefore kept on the same schedule.

2. Today, 89.2% of the polling stations throughout the country were able to conduct elections. Out of the 77 provinces, 9 provinces were unable to conduct polling, 9 were able to do so in some districts. Due to inability to register election candidates and to conduct elections in many constituencies, by law the results of Sunday’s vote count would not be officially announced immediately.  The announcement would be made when the election results from all constituencies had been counted, including a new round of advance voting on 23 February.

3. The Election Commission would like to thank everyone who participated or tried to participate by casting their ballots. The Commission also expressed its appreciation for officials and volunteers who assisted at the polling stations.