Thailand protesters block early election vote

Protesters in Thailand have surrounded polling stations, blocking early voting ahead of next week's general election, officials say. Crowds of flag-waving demonstrators chained the doors of polling stations shut, despite promises by protest leaders not to obstruct the polls. Advance voting has reportedly been cancelled in a number of locations. Anti-government activists want PM Yingluck Shinawatra to step down and the political system to be reformed. The country's election commission has called for the general vote scheduled for 2 February to be postponed because of possible disruption and violence. But the government has so far insisted that the election must go ahead on schedule, according to BBC.