DHAKA: Thailand’s government has rejected calls to delay February’s election, amid increasingly violent protests in which a policeman has been shot dead.

The Electoral Commission urged the postponement over safety fears for candidates on the campaign trail.

But government officials said parliament was already dissolved so there was no legal reason for a delay.

The protesters want the government to stand down and be replaced by an unelected ‘people’s council’.

In a televised address, deputy prime minister Phongthep Thepkanjana rejected the electoral commission’s request, reports the BBC.

‘The Election Commission said holding elections will bring violence but the government believes delaying an election will cause more violence,’ he said.

Thailand PM Yingluck Shinawatra called the snap election, scheduled for 2 February, after weeks of protests.

BDST: 2117 HRS, DEC 26, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor