Constitutional Court rules Thai election invalid

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Constitutional Court nullified last month’s general election on Friday, forcing new polls and aggravating a political crisis in which protesters have occupied parts of the capital for four months to demand the government yield power to an interim appointed council.

The judges voted 6-3 to declare the Feb. 2 election unconstitutional because voting was not held on the same day in 28 constituencies where protesters prevented candidates from registering. The constitution says the election should be held on the same day nationwide, although it also allows advance voting.