Thai electoral body suggests delaying election

BANGKOK - Thailand's Election Commission (EC) on Thursday suggested the caretaker government postpone the general election slated for February 2, 2014 to prevent further escalation of the political conflict.

In a statement, the five-member EC urged the election to be delayed until all parties worked through their differences, saying the situation, if not handled properly, could lead to more violence.

If concerned parties take no effective measures to contain the situation, the EC may come up with a proper decision within its power, according to the statement.

The statement was issued after dozens of anti-government protesters and three police officers were injured in a clash in the morning.

Police fired teargases and rubber bullets at protesters who tried to storm into a Bangkok stadium where representatives of 30 political parties vying in the election drew lots for electoral numbers.

Figures from the Public Health Ministry and Center for the Administration of Peace and Order show that 32 protesters were injured, but the Erawan Emergency Center of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration later claimed 48 protesters sustained injuries.