Third ballot for 13 seats

BANGKOK - Thailand's Election Commission is to decide whether to hold a third round of voting for 13 empty seats which are preventing Parliament from meeting and prolonging a constitutional crisis.

Byelections aim to fill 40 seats left empty after the April 2 snap general election which was boycotted by the Opposition and forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to announce he would step aside.

But 13 seats remained unfilled, mainly in southern opposition strongholds where ruling party candidates running unopposed owing to the boycott failed to win the required 20 per cent of the eligible vote.

EC Secretary-General Ekachai Warunprapa said there was enough time to hold another round of voting before the May 2 constitutional deadline for Parliament to meet within 30 days of national elections.

"Whether the commission will hold a new round of voting will depend on the four members of the Election Commission."

Unless all 500 of Parliament's seats are filled, it cannot convene, no new prime minister can be elected and no new government can be formed. Thaksin has handed over to his deputy Chidchai Vanasatidya.

Around half the 40 seats were contested yesterday only by Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party and the 20 per cent rule is tough in a region where the Government is unpopular.

- REUTERS