Special report: Thai deputy PM appointed caretaker PM

    BANGKOK, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Former Democrat MP Thaworn Senniamhas asked the Central Administrative Court to prohibit the planned by-elections in 38 constituencies on April 23, alleging the Election Commission decisions violated electoral laws.

    The by-elections followed the failure of 38 Thai Rak Thai party candidates -- whose races were uncontested -- to win a minimum of 20 percent of total eligible voters in the April 2 general election.

    The Democrat was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying on Friday that no by-election can be legally held without a prior royal decree in accordance with the organic law of the Constitution.

    Besides, Thaworn said, the Election Commission may be accused of doing undue favor for the Thai Rak Thai Party headed by caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra simply by going ahead with the planned by-elections.

    In addition, the Court should act after the by-elections have been held, only to declare them retroactively null and void, Thaworn said, suggesting that while such action by the agency would only waste taxpayer's money. Enditem