BANGKOK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Supporters of the opposition in Thailand say it's pointless to take part in a political system where their voice doesn't count, a Thai researcher said Friday.
Turnout for Feb. 2 elections was low in part because of a boycott by the opposition Democratic Party. Somchai Jitsuchon, a researcher from the Thailand Development Research Institute, told Voice of America opposition supporters were "fed up" with the Thai political system
"There may be those who believe that this election will be invalid, finally," he said in an interview published Friday. "So, they didn't think that they should go out to vote anyway because it would not be counted."
Vote counting is underway, though Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her allies are expected to win the election.
Members of the European Parliament said all parties to the political conflict in Thailand should set aside their differences for the sake of democracy.
"Both government supporters and anti-government demonstrators should refrain from any political violence and move forward within Thailand's democratic and constitutional framework," the European Parliament said in a statement Thursday.
At least 89 people died as a result of political violence in Thailand in 2010.
