Bangkok, Thailand (CNN)Thailand’s first general election since the army took over in a coup five years ago was not free and fair, according to an election watchdog, amid concerns over alleged voting irregularities.
The outcome of Sunday’s elections is still unclear, with no party taking a decisive lead but both leading parties claiming the right to form a coalition. Persistent delays in the release of the final results has added to the confusion surrounding the electoral process.
On Monday evening, the fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra added his voice to the growing chorus of criticism, saying that Thailand’s military government “manipulated” polling to ensure its grip on power.
