Thailand holds national poll amid tensions

    
Thailand’s tense national election is under way with protesters forcing the closure of hundreds of polling stations in Bangkok, the outcome of which could push Thailand deeper into political turmoil and possible street protests for months.

The risk of bloodshed at the ballot on Sunday remains high, a day after seven people were wounded by shooting and explosions during a standoff between supporters and opponents of Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister, in a north Bangkok stronghold of her Puea Thai Party.

As polls opened in Bangkok’s Beungkum district, Yingluck cast her ballot under heavy police presence.

Al Jazeera’s Veronica Pedrosa, reporting from Bangkok on Sunday, said that election officials had warned of disruptions in voting in the Thai capital.

She said that at least 130,000 police have been deployed across the country to secure the voting, including 12,000 in Bangkok.

Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay, also reporting from Bangkok, said voting had already been disrupted in Din Daeng suburb, a Yingluck stronghold, and that the polls could be cancelled.

Anti-government protesters reportedly blocked a government building, where ballot boxes are housed, and prevented the distribution of ballots, he said.

The main opposition Democrat Party is boycotting the poll and the commission has already voiced concerns that it would result in too few legitimately elected MPs to form a parliamentary quorum.
Al jazeera