"The majority of voters, as many as 70 per cent, deem it inappropriate for election winners to assume office if the number of 'no vote' ballots outnumbers their own votes," Noppadon said. "This is a clear sign that Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai Party will not win the public's confidence to govern even if they can legally declare an election victory."

He urged Thaksin to name his political successor rather than clinging to power. He drew his opinion from a survey of 1,169 respondents exiting polling stations in Bangkok and greater Bangkok on Sunday. - The Nation.

'TRT candidates should go too'

Thirty students from Ramkhamhaeng University gathered at the head office of the Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday to deliver a statement demanding Thai Rak Thai candidates who received less than 20 per cent of the votes from eligible voters in their constituencies withdraw from the next election.

They also demanded that candidates who had received more than 20 per cent of the votes, but who had still been superseded by "no votes", resign from the ruling party.

"If the candidate is an MP, the law requires that you stand down as an MP, too," the statement said.

After delivering the statement, the students laid a wreath in front of the party headquarters. - The Nation.