Thai protesters try to block election sign-up

BANGKOK, DEC 23 (NsNewsWire) — Anti-government protesters in Thailand’s capital have surrounded a sports stadium in an unsuccessful attempt to physically block political parties from registering for a February election.

Monday’s move is the latest tactic used by the protesters who are trying to force the downfall of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, reports AP.

She called elections for Feb. 2 to try to diffuse tension after several weeks of sometimes violent demonstrations.

The opposition Democrat Party said over the weekend it will boycott the vote.

Officials from Yingluck’s ruling party and eight others managed to sign up for the election by slipping into the stadium in the middle of the night, the Election Commission said. More than two dozen others were able to register at a nearby police station.