One of Thailand's top courts on Monday invalidated last month's controversial snap elections and ordered fresh polls within 60 days, clearing the way for an end to months of political turmoil.
The ruling followed unprecedented pressure from influential King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the courts to step in, after the April 2 elections failed to produce a working parliament and forced prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step aside.
Jira Boonpouchjanasoonthorn, one of the 14 judges on the Constitutional Court, said a majority of the bench agreed that the election date was unfairly chosen and the arrangement of voting booths had compromised the secrecy of the ballot. "The judges have not yet set a date for new elections but it should not be more than 60 days from today. The date will be set in consultation with the Election Commission and the government," he told reporters.