A group of 600 lecturers from 41 universities have urged voters to tick the "no vote" (abstention) box when casting ballots in Sunday's election, saying its could help end the political turmoil by ousting Thaksin Shinawatra from the office, local press reported Saturday.

The lecturers said in an open letter released Friday that the " No vote" could be the most peaceful and most effective way to edge Thaksin from power. They are concerned that Thaksin's return will widen rifts of the country.

The number of abstained ballots could influence Thaksin's political future because he has pledged not to lead the next government if he obtains less than half of the votes cast Sunday, Thammasat University lecturer Prinya Thewanaruemitkul was quoted by The Nation newspaper as saying.

Pijitra Suppasawatgul, another lecturer of Thammasat University said that candidates standing unopposed in many constituencies might get less than 20 percent votes required by the constitution. In that case, parliament would lack a quorum.

In last year's balloting, 13 million votes were cast for the three opposition parties: Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon.

The three parties have boycotted the election and their supporters are expected to tick the "no-vote" box in order to spoil Thaksin's bid return with fresh mandate.

Prinya urged media professionals, members of the public and relevant authorities to closely monitor the balloting, and to speak out if there are suspected cases of rigging.

Thaksin called the polls three years early in a bid to end the political deadlock.

Source: Xinhua