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Pro-army party prioritises Thai king’s coronation

Thai candidates lodge complaints over election irregularities


| Updated: March 31, 2019 13:34:27


Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn attending the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony in central Bangkok, Thailand recently	— Reuters Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn attending the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony in central Bangkok, Thailand recently — Reuters

A party linked to Thailand's ruling military junta said it will not hold talks to try to form the next government until after the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in May, with the outcome of last Sunday's election still hanging in the balance, reports Reuters.

The chaotic count and charges of vote-buying have marred Thailand's first election since a military coup five years ago.

Amid mounting confusion, both the pro-army Palang Prachart and an opposition alliance have claimed to have come out on top.

Official results from Sunday's vote won't be released until May 9, just a few days after King Vajiralongkorn is scheduled to be crowned.

The elaborate ceremonies will take place between May 4 and 6, following a long period of mourning for the new king's revered father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016.

With the unofficial results showing no clear winner, the pro-military Palang Pracharat party said it would not seek to negotiate with other parties to forge a coalition government because it wants to focus on the coronation.

"We're waiting. Forming a government this time is entirely different from in the past," said Sonthirat Sontijirawong, the party's secretary-general, said on Friday.

An AFP report adds: Several anti-military candidates in Thailand lodged fresh complaints with the Election Commission Friday over bungled tallies and alleged vote-buying following a controversial ballot that has left politics in the junta-ruled kingdom in limbo.

A military-backed party and its main rival led by an exiled billionaire have both claimed the right to lead the government in the wake of Sunday's polls, with official final tallies delayed for weeks.

Candidates from at least two parties issued complaints with the commission on Friday over alleged irregularities they claim could skew final vote counts.

A member of the anti-junta Future Forward party accused the pro-military Phalang Pracharat of currying favour among local officials by gifting them cash and gifts.

"It's against the law, it can be seen as vote-buying," said Future Forward spokeswoman Pannika Wanich.

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