Thai Constitution Court annuls 2 February elections

The Constitution Court in Thailand today ruled the country's 2 February 2014 elections invalid as the opposition and some parts of the country did not take part in the elections and directed the Election Commission and the government to jointly arrange fresh elections.

The court's 6-3 majority ruling invalidates the much-delayed 2 February general election that was conducted defying demands by protesters for the formation of a new government and bringing down prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The court ruled that the election violated the constitution, as voting had not taken place in 28 districts in southern Thailand where candidates were unable to register due to blockades by the anti-government protesters.

The election could not take place across the kingdom on the same day, the court noted.

Following the Constitution Court's ruling, the government and the Election Commission will have to look for ways to start the general election process afresh.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, said it has prepared election guideline ahead of the court's ruling and has scheduled a meeting in the afternoon, according to its secretary general.

Royal Thai Police said it stood ready to provide security in the upcoming senatorial election. But, it is not clear when a new election will be held.

Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the snap poll on 2 February amid major anti-government protests in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country.

Although a pro-Thaksin party won the election in December 2007, by August 2008, Thaksin had slipped away from Thailand amidst charges of widespread corruption and graft. Since then huge anti-Thaksin protests erupted in the capital Bangkok and a court ruling banned the ruling party and Abhisit Vejjajiva assumed power.

Yingluck Shinawatra was handed over power after the Army that ousted her brother and then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, returned power to the elected representatives.

And, in Mar-May 2010, the tide turned and huge pro-Thaksin protests engulfed Thailand during which dozens were killed in Army crackdown. In July 2011, Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of Thaksin, was elected prime minister.

In November 2013, anti-government protests erupted again and in December 2013, Yingluck Shinawatra called elections. Unable to conduct elections amidst waves of protest, Yingluck declares state of emergency in January 2014.

Election were held on 2 February 2014, with 90 per cent of polling stations operating normally, although the remaining 10 per cent of voting stations remained out of bound for the electorate.

The court ruling to annul the election comes on a motion by a law lecturer who had challenged the election on a number of points.