BANGKOK — The general election on 20 July will go ahead even if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is removed by the court, an Election Commissioner confirms.

Ms. Yingluck is facing charges of unlawfully removing a former head of the National Security Council. The Constitutional Court is expected release a verdict this month, and if  found guilty, Ms. Yingluck and her Cabinet members could be stripped of their caretaker positions.

Supporters of the government have expressed concern that a guilty verdict will result in a political vacuum that could disrupt plans for the new general election, scheduled by the Election Commission to take place on 20 July. The previous general election on 2 February was invalidated by the Constitutional Court because the poll's voting session and candidate registration were not conducted on the same day across the kingdom. 

But Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn told reporters today even if the court rules to remove Ms. Yingluck from office, the 20 July election will not be affected. 

"Many political factors will take place in May, especially the Constitutional Court's ruling on Ms. Yingluck's status as a Prime Minister," Mr. Somchai said. "But it won't affect the election arrangement, because any other caretaker Prime Minister or Government can submit the [election date] to the King for his royal approval." 

Mr. Somchai said that he will present a draft of the Royal Decree that paves the legal way for the next election to the current caretaker Cabinet by 6 May. 

He believes it won't take much time for the government to consider the wording of the Royal Decree and submit it to His Majesty the King for final approval.

Mr. Somchai refused to comment on reports that Democrat Party chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva will unveil his "blueprint" of political reforms for Thailand tomorrow (3 May), stating that reporters should ask the government and the public for their opinions on the issues instead of the EC.

Nevertheless, Mr. Somchai said the EC is willing to participate in the "blueprints" and postpone the election accordingly if the government agrees to Mr. Abhisit's plan.

"It's up to the government, because the EC will not comment on the matter," Mr. Somchai said. "We would like to be the last person to make decision." 

Although the Constitutional Court has not appointed the date for the verdict, many analysts expect the ruling to be due in early May.

The speculation grows even more intense after the Office Constitutional Court announced today that the court's conference with reporters between 7-9 May in Krabi province has been "indefitinely postponed".

The court officials gave no reason for the postponement, a source said, causing many observers to suspect that the verdict will be delivered within that period.

Related Story: Yingluck Accepts 20 July Election Deals

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BANGKOK – The government and the Election Commission (EC) have at last agreed to an election on 20 July – on a number of conditions demanded by the EC.

The decision was reached following a three-hour long meeting between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and EC directors today.

Ms. Yingluck called a fresh election after dissolving the House last December, but the advance and actual voting on 26 January and 2 February, respectively, were later disrupted by anti-government protesters led by the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Some EC officials abandoned the attempt to organise the election at the slightest threat from anti-election demonstrators, causing a number of Bangkok poll districts and southern provinces to cancel the voting and registration for the candidates.

The Constitutional Court eventually invalidated the 2 February election result on the ground that the voting and the registration were not conducted on the same day across the kingdom. The verdict enraged many pro-government activists who accuse the EC of collaborating with anti-election agenda of the PCAD.

Up to the very last hour before today's meeting, top Election Commissioners continued to express their reluctance to arrange a new election on the ground that a future poll may spark further violent confrontation.

EC chairman Suphachai Somcharoen explained that the aim of the EC is to organise an election in a "calm and orderly" atmosphere; at least one person was killed and many more injured in the days leading up to 2 February election due to clashes between pro- and anti-election protesters.

"There must be no injury or loss in the next election," Mr. Suphachai insisted. 

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, chief of the EC's election administration department, said prior to the meeting that he would only agree to a new poll if Ms. Yingluck accepts all of his five conditions.

Among the conditions are: the government must guarantee a free and fair election; the authorities must provide public order thorough the election; and the government must refrain from abusing its power to favour its allies in the election.

Furthermore, Mr. Somchai insisted that the government must allow the EC to suspend or postpone the polls in areas where risk of violence runs high, and that the government must accept a delay as long as 30 days after the election is completed before a new parliament session can be convened.

After the meeting was adjourned, officials said Ms. Yingluck has agreed to all five demands, paving the way for the election on 20 July. A Royal Decree formally approving the election date is expected to be issued in the next few weeks. 

The date was chosen among three other dates offered by the EC, 17 August and 14 September, officials added.

The poll agreement followed a week of "lobby tour" engaged by Democrat Party chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva, who presented himself as a "mediator" and called for all sides to participate in a dialogue to solve Thailand's ongoing crisis.

Mr. Abhisit also suggested that an election be held in order to form a transitional government which will embark on series of reforms for a year, a clear deviation from his fellow former party member and current leader of the PCAD, Suthep Thaugsuban. Mr. Suthep has insisted that the reforms must be completed before any election can be held.

However, it is not clear whether Mr. Abhisit's party will boycott the next election as it has done in the previous poll. 

Anuthin Charnweerakul, chairman of Bhum Jai Thai Party, said today he accepted Mr. Abhisit's proposals. He claimed that he also told Mr. Abhisit he believes the crisis will likely come to an end if all parties agree to the election.

"Mr. Abhisit just laughed," Mr. Anuthin said, "He didn't say anything further."

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BANGKOK — Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has downplayed what anti-government protesters are calling their "last fight," insisting that their new move is only a response to waning numbers.

Media reports in the past few days suggest that the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) may leave their rally site in central Bangkok’s Lumpini Park and move back to their original protest site on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in the city’s historic quarters.

PCAD secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban has also been promising "one last fight" against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, leading to speculation that the possible decision to relocate the protests is part of a plan to escalate his anti-government campaign.

But Deputy PM Surapong said the PCAD's possible move is merely a tactic to compensate for the group’s dwindling number of protesters in Lumpini Park. 

"It's easy to cause traffic jams around Democracy Monument, so they can create the image that a lot of protesters have joined them," said Mr. Surapong in a press conference today. "Lumpini Park is a closed area, so they can't show photographs of how many protesters were there." 

"We have analysed that they have fewer and fewer protesters each day," added Mr. Surapong, who is also a chief adviser to the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO).

Nevertheless, Mr. Surapong insisted that authorities will provide security to the PCAD protesters and prevent any acts of violence against them.

The Deputy PM also promised that there will be no crackdown on the anti-government protesters, as Ms. Yingluck has stressed to her officials that the government prefers the method of negotiation and would like to avoid any violent confrontations with demonstrators. 

"It won't be like the 2010 unrest," Mr. Surapong said.

Although Mr. Suthep has not officially announced his decision to move the rally site, many vendors have already staked out grounds for setting up their stalls along Ratchadamnoen Avenue in anticipation of the PCAD protesters’ relocation. 

Prathep Thongsuk, a vendor who sells juice and grilled pork on the Avenue, said she heard the news about the PCAD's possible move "several days ago."

She believes the protesters will arrive on Ratchadamnoen Avenue by 1 May. 

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