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| Thailand ready for key election | Thailand ready for key election |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thailand is heading to the polls for the first general election since the coup last year that overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. | Thailand is heading to the polls for the first general election since the coup last year that overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. |
| A total of 480 parliamentary seats are being contested, under a new constitution introduced in August. | |
| Mr Thaksin is in exile abroad and is banned from politics but a new party set up by his followers has been leading in the opinion polls. | Mr Thaksin is in exile abroad and is banned from politics but a new party set up by his followers has been leading in the opinion polls. |
| Analysts say all eyes will be on the military should the party win outright. | Analysts say all eyes will be on the military should the party win outright. |
| However, the army insists the general election will restore democracy in the country. | However, the army insists the general election will restore democracy in the country. |
| Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who deposed Mr Thaksin in September 2006, promised that a victory for the ousted prime minister's allies would not bring turmoil. | Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who deposed Mr Thaksin in September 2006, promised that a victory for the ousted prime minister's allies would not bring turmoil. |
| About 45 million Thais are eligible to vote. | About 45 million Thais are eligible to vote. |
| Weakened role | Weakened role |
| The new party allied to Mr Thaksin, the People Power Party (PPP), is led by outspoken right-wing politician Samak Sundaravej. | The new party allied to Mr Thaksin, the People Power Party (PPP), is led by outspoken right-wing politician Samak Sundaravej. |
| Mr Samak, 72, has said Mr Thaksin, who still faces a number of corruption charges, will return to Thailand about a month after the elections. | Mr Samak, 72, has said Mr Thaksin, who still faces a number of corruption charges, will return to Thailand about a month after the elections. |
| Thaksin Shinawatra will be a key player after the election | Thaksin Shinawatra will be a key player after the election |
| The PPP draws on the massive support Mr Thaksin had in rural areas. | The PPP draws on the massive support Mr Thaksin had in rural areas. |
| Although ahead in opinion polls it is likely to fall short of an absolute majority. | Although ahead in opinion polls it is likely to fall short of an absolute majority. |
| BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says if that happens there will almost certainly follow a period of bargaining with other parties over a coalition. | BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says if that happens there will almost certainly follow a period of bargaining with other parties over a coalition. |
| In any case, he says, the new constitution significantly weakens the power of the prime minister. | In any case, he says, the new constitution significantly weakens the power of the prime minister. |
| The PPP's main rival is the Democrat Party, headed by 43-year-old movie star Abhisit Vejajjiva, which has strong support among the urban middle class. | The PPP's main rival is the Democrat Party, headed by 43-year-old movie star Abhisit Vejajjiva, which has strong support among the urban middle class. |
| Mr Abhisit said Mr Thaksin should return "to face charges here so justice will prevail". | Mr Abhisit said Mr Thaksin should return "to face charges here so justice will prevail". |
| Polling stations are scheduled to open at 0800 local time (0100 GMT) on Sunday. | Polling stations are scheduled to open at 0800 local time (0100 GMT) on Sunday. |
| Some 200,000 soldiers and police will be deployed nationwide. | Some 200,000 soldiers and police will be deployed nationwide. |
| The Election Commission has said it expects unofficial results by midnight on Sunday and predicts a turnout of about 70%. | The Election Commission has said it expects unofficial results by midnight on Sunday and predicts a turnout of about 70%. |