Constitution Court voids Feb 2 election

The Constitution Court has voted 6-3 to nullify the Feb 2 general election, meaning a new election will have to be held.

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A Constitution Court staff member hands out copies of the ruling to the media. KRIT PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN

Constitution Court voids Feb 2 election

The Constitution Court has just released its verdict on the status of the Febuary 2 election, saying it was unconstitutional since it was not held on a single day. The vote was 6 - 3.

With the uncompleted general election now nullified, a new election will have to be held.

The Election Commission is reportedly holding an urgent meeting on how to proceed.

Here's more from our online reporters:

According to the charter court, the poll is declared void because the election was not held on the same day. Twenty-eight poll units of 375 nationwide could not open because no candidates had been registered amid anti-government protests. Under the law, a general election must be held on a single day nationwide.

The Constitution Court hearing was held at the request of the Office of the Ombudsman following a complaint lodged by Kittipong Kamolthammawong, a law lecturer at Thammasat University. Mr Kittipong argues that flaws in the way the Feb 2 poll was conducted mean that it breached the charter.

He cited the absence of voting in 28 polling units as the reason.

The judges heard evidence from Ombudsman Pornphet Wichitcholchai, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana, who testified on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's behalf, and Election Commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen.

English learners:

There are many words already being used to describe the Constitution Court ruling. I've use void, declare unconstitutional and nullify. Others are saying the court declared the election null and void or it invalidated the election. Here's another: annul, e.g. Court annuls election.

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