Thai poll body certifies election results, clearing path for new Parliament
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The certified results show Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party winning 191 of 500 parliamentary seats.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BANGKOK – Thailand’s election commission has certified 499 of 500 parliamentary seats won in the February general election, clearing the way for a new house to convene and a new government to be formed.
Under the rules, the new Parliament must meet within 15 days of certification. It will elect a speaker and deputy speaker and will then choose a prime minister, who will move to form a government.
The certified results show Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party winning 191 seats
Bhumjaithai has said it plans to form a coalition with third-place Pheu Thai and several smaller parties, an alliance that would hold an estimated 292 seats.
A new government is expected to begin working in April, a Bhumjaithai party official told Reuters.
The poll body said 37.8 million Thais voted in the Feb 8 election, representing 71.42 per cent eligible voters.
The commission said it still needs time to investigate 246 election-related complaints. REUTERS
