December 23 is election date

After the two-hour meeting between Prime Minister and Interior Minister Surayud Chulanont and the commission, EC Chairman Apichat Sukhaggananda said the government and the EC insisted they can organise the next poll on December 23   as originally planned.  

"If everyone wants to see the end of the country's crisis and wants democracy, you need to help us," Surayud replied when asked if he was confident the election will be held on that day.

He said the government would propose an election decree to ask for royal endorsement after October 16.

The government will also approve Bt700 million for the EC to manage the election. 

Surayud said that as Interior Minister he could help support the EC to manage the next election and it was not necessary to set up a joint committee between the government and the EC..

The premier insisted he would not take any position in the next Cabinet but could not guarantee what other ministers would do.

"This government won't retain the power," he said.

Apichat said the EC asked Surayud to announce a national agenda to get rid of vote-buying.

by Atthayuth Butrsripoom

The Nation