EC sets Jan 13 for by-elections

EC sets Jan 13 for by-elections

By-elections in constituencies where elected candidates for parliament were determined to have cheated and issued with red or yellow disqualification cards following Sunday's general election will be held on January 13, Election Commission (EC) chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said Monday.

Speaking to journalists while inspecting election ballot counting by EC officials, Mr Apichart said the public is awaiting announcement of the official results of the general election and that the EC would from Tuesday begin considering complaints of possible frauds, as well as issuing verification for constituencies where no complaints were lodged.

Mr Apichart said he hoped the entire process could be furnished within 30 days. If yellow or red cards are issued to candidates already elected then by-elections will be held January 13.

"Currently, up to 90 per cent of unofficial results have been released and if the winning political party wants to form a government, it could proceed without having to wait for the EC," he added.

In a two-tier system of voting, 400 members of the House of Representatives were elected directly by voters nationwide Sunday while 80 party-list candidates selected by the winning parties were elected, according to the proportion of votes each party received on a separate ballot. (TNA)

20:14 Dec 24, 2007