Election Commission satisfied with debut party-list registration

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has announced satisfaction over its debut candidacy registration in the party-list system, which started early Thursday in the capital of Bangkok.

EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond made the remarks at the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre at the site of the registration, saying he was happy to see the process go on smoothly, as more candidates and more political parties were interested to join the party-list system than in 2007.

Apichart noted the registration has been organized with full transparency, and that no electoral complaints have so far been reported. Speaking of the upcoming general election on July 3 this year, he added no serious violations were expected throughout the polling ahead, and that a project to campaign for reconciliation has been endorsed.

Meanwhile, Bangkok's Deputy Police Chief Police Major General Kreerin Inkaew confirmed security plans have been formulated at this stage for the entire election, and dismissed any reported violation so far, such as the vandalizing of campaign posters.

Police Major General Kreerin also confirmed police are politically neutral, and are ready to protect political candidates when necessary. (TNA)