Thailand’s election commission has urged the government to delay polls which are scheduled for February 2.
It followed seven hours of violent protests outside a sports stadium being used by candidates to draw lots for their position on polling papers for the vote.
The call by the commission will add to the uncertainty gripping the nation.
The commission said it is urging the government to consider “postponing the elections”, citing the lack of “peace” between the government and protesters.
A police officer was killed in the clashes in the capital. It is unclear how the officer died, but police said earlier an officer had been struck by a bullet during the clashes. At least 60 people were injured in a day of unrest yesterday. The protesters are seeking to topple the government.
Inside the stadium, candidates for at least 27 parties took part in the lot-drawing process, which apparently went on unaffected despite the turmoil outside the gates.
Yesterday’s were the first violent incidents in nearly two weeks of daily protests on the streets of Bangkok.
The protesters have been demanding prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down since mid-October.
They oppose the polls scheduled for February 2 because Ms Yingluck is seen as sure to win.
Police have largely shown restraint and made no move to arrest the ringleader, Suthep Thaugsuban, who is demanding Thailand be led by an unelected council until reforms can be implemented.
Thailand has been wracked by political conflict since Ms Yingluck’s brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled by a 2006 military coup. The protesters accuse Ms Yingluck of being a proxy for her brother, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail time for a corruption conviction.