Mixed Picture From Thai Exit, Opinion Polls: Election Update
(Bloomberg) -- Thailand on Sunday held its first general election since a coup almost five years ago. Parties backing the military and royalist establishment are dueling for power with the populist movement of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Key Developments:
- Polls closed at 5 p.m. and initial overall results are due 8 p.m.
- There’s still no clear picture on which parties are faring best
- King Maha Vajiralongkorn issued a rare pre-election statement
- The army chief said the nation will be peaceful if it heeds the king
Conflicting Signals From Exit, Opinion Polls (6 p.m.)
While one exit poll puts the military-supporting Palang Pracharath in the lead at about 140 seats, other just-released surveys that took place before the election have the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai party ahead on about 170 seats. Either way, neither party would have a big enough haul for a majority in the 500-seat lower house, signaling a coalition government. But the pro-junta party is doing better than some had expected, based on these surveys.
Polls Closed in the 2019 General Election (5 p.m.)
Counting begins with the first results expected in about an hour and final results from roughly 8 p.m. An initial exit poll from the Nation TV threw up a surprise, putting the pro-junta Palang Pracharath party in first place at 135-140 seats. It was followed by the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai party at 120-135 seats.
Heavy Turnout Seen With Polling in Last Stages (2:30 p.m.)
The Election Commission said it expects a heavy turnout of 80 percent or more. That’s an echo of advanced voting last weekend, when the turnout reached 87 percent.
Election Commission Says Polling Going Smoothly (1 p.m.)
The agency said all 92,320 polling stations opened without major problems. It said there have been some reports of improper behavior, such as attempts to buy votes, but not many.
Army Head Says Heeding King’s Advice Brings Peace (Noon)
Commenting on a rare statement issued by the Thai monarch late Saturday, army chief Apirat Kongsompong said heeding the king’s advice can ensure peace in the country. He also said the army will take a neutral stance on the next government.
Thais Head to Polls Digesting King’s Statement (8 a.m.)
Polls opened at 8 a.m. with voters digesting a rare message from Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Late Saturday, the monarch released a statement that in effect asked citizens to back “good people” for government in the interests of national stability.
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