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BANGKOK, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's demonstrators trying to oust
caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will end theirrallies and settle for
a compromise: banning him from next Sunday's general election.
Leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which hasbeen conducting street
demonstrations calling for the resignation of the prime minister, said on
Saturday that they have submitted evidence to the Election Commission which
could cause him to be barred from the polls.
The Election Commission (EC) has promised PAD it will review the evidence
and rule by next Friday, two days before the electionfor a 500-member Lower
House, the Bangkok Post said on its website.
Suriyasai Katasila, the PAD coordinator, told journalists that the
coalition had submitted a set of documents to the EC, which itbelieved could
force Thaksin to resign and temporarily suspend hispolitical roles.
The evidence includes a videotape, a copy of an article published in
Matichon, a Thai-language newspaper, in its February 27 issue and a copy of a
Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party speech delivered by Thaksin at a rally organized at
Sanam Luang on March 3.
Suriyasai said the documents showed Thaksin's violation of Article 44 and
47 of the election law after he dissolved the Houseof Representatives on
February 24 through abusing of his power andusing the state authority to
facilitate and in favor of his TRT Party's candidates, as well as giving cash
rewards and promising favors in exchange of votes.
The coalition is also seeking more information against Thaksin from
provincial officials regarding a government order to provide transport for local
residents to join the TRT Party's rally on March 3, he revealed.
"We believe that the documents will become clear evidence for the EC to ban
Thaksin from the April 2 snap election and to temporarily suspend his political
role," he added. Enditem
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