Thailand: A divided nation votes
Despite an opposition boycott and the closure of hundreds of voting stations, Thailand's general election was largely peaceful. But the government's bid to end months of protests may only deepen the political crisis.
'Relatively' peaceful
Apart from a few scuffles, the vast majority of polling stations were open and voting is said to have proceeded relatively peacefully. According to officials, 89 percent of polling stations across the country operated normally. The Election Commission, however, said the forced closure of polls affected more than 6 million of the country's 50 million registered voters.
Block the vote!
Voting in hundreds of polling stations was disrupted by anti-government protesters, mostly in the capital, Bangkok, and the south of the country, a region considered an opposition stronghold. In some cases, demonstrators formed blockades to prevent voters from entering the stations. Elsewhere, the delivery of ballots and other election materials was obstructed.
High tensions
The vote had been overshadowed by months of anti-government demonstrations aimed at forcing now caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet to resign. Since the protests started three months ago, at least 10 people have been killed and nearly 600 injured.
Street violence
Despite the violent protests, the government decided to go ahead with the February 2 poll, arguing that delaying the election could cause more difficulties with no guarantees the opposition would eventually abandon its boycott. This decision, however, only inflamed tensions in Bangkok and seven people were wounded by gunshots and explosions during clashes just a day before the vote.
Thaksin's puppet?
Yingluck's opponents accuse her of corruption as well as of being a puppet of her self-exiled brother and former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. In an attempt to curb the political dominance of the "Shinawatra clan," the opposition has demanded that the current government be replaced by a non-elected "people's council" to oversee reforms before any future vote.
State of emergency
Just days before the election, the government had declared a 60-day state of emergency in the capital and surrounding areas, thus granting security authorities expanded powers in terms of conducting raids and arrests, and greater immunity from prosecution. However, Yingluck has been reluctant thus far to use force against the demonstrators.
Heightened security
Around 130,000 security forces were deployed on election day. Moreover, Thailand's army, which had increased the number of troops in Bangkok, was also on standby. The army has so far preferred to remain neutral in the conflict, despite calls from the opposition to intervene.
An inconclusive outcome?
Yingluck's governing Pheu Thai party is expected to win the poll. Yet some analysts argue that the outcome may be inconclusive as protesters had blocked candidate registration in 28 constituencies. This renders the formation of a new government unlikely, as the presence of at least 95 percent of the 500 MPs in the House of Representatives is required to elect a new prime minister.
Uncertainty looms
Election officials have warned that the election results may not be known for months. Even then, experts forecast Thailand will be stuck in political uncertainty as by-elections are held in constituencies that were unable to vote. The opposition is also expected to ask the courts to annul the outcome based on legal technicalities. All of which leaves Thailand's future uncertain.