Bangkok: The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has announced an indefinite postponement of the by-election for the Sisaket MP in Constituency 5, originally scheduled for August 10. This decision comes amidst concerns over the ongoing unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border, which poses significant risks to voter safety and the logistical execution of the election.

According to Thai News Agency, the ECT’s decision follows a proposal from the Election Commission (EC) to suspend the election due to potential disruptions caused by the conflict in the region. The Sisaket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center has issued warnings about disaster-affected areas, highlighting threats from foreign forces in the Khun Han and Phusing Districts. As a precaution, residents from these areas have been relocated to evacuation centers to ensure their safety.

The ECT emphasized that the postponement aims to protect the public, voters, and election personnel, while also addressing potential impacts on the election management plan. Although the by-election is suspended, the commission has not provided a timeline for when it might be rescheduled. The affected Constituency 5 covers the Khun Han and Phusing districts, where safety concerns remain a priority.