Reuters, Bangkok :Thailand’s prime minister and the country’s Election Commission agreed on Wednesday to hold an election in July despite the opposition’s reluctance to say whether it will take part after boycotting a February poll that was later annulled.Anti-government protesters have vowed to disrupt any election, as they did in February as part of a six-month campaign to oust Prime Minister Yingluck, raising questions over whether the polls will go ahead smoothly.”The prime minister and the Election Commission agree on a July 20 election,” Puchong Nutrawong, secretary-general of the commission told reporters.He said the commission would ask the government to issue a royal decree and get the king’s endorsement for the vote. The cabinet, which must also sign off on an election, would likely consider the decree next week, he said.Thailand has been in crisis since November, with sometimes violent street protests and legal challenges to Yingluck, who risks being removed by the courts next month. A court nullified February’s election because of rules that stipulate the vote must be held on the same day across the country. Voting was not held in 28 southern constituencies because candidates were stopped from registering. Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has shown no sign of giving in, even though the number of demonstrators has dwindled considerably.”We are approaching D-day, the details of which will be revealed tomorrow. This will be our final uprising, our ultimate gathering,” Suthep told supporters on Tuesday.
