Thailand’s court rules February elections are invalid in fresh blow to government

BANGKOK – Thailand’s constitutional Court has ruled general elections held in February invalid in a fresh blow to the embattled prime minister.

The judges on Friday voted 6-3 to declare the Feb. 2 vote unconstitutional because elections were not held in 28 constituencies, where anti-government protesters had prevented candidates from registering. The constitution says the election must be held on the same day nationwide.

The court ordered that new elections take place.

Protesters have tried to prevent the vote from taking place in a bid to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whom they accuse of corruption. She has refused to resign and had called elections in a bid to ensure a fresh mandate.

Street protests since November have sometimes turned violent, leaving at least 23 people dead.