The leader of anti-government protesters in Thailand has said they won’t try to stop people voting in Sunday’s general election even though they are against it taking place.

Suthep Thaugsuban wants Yingluck Shinawatra’s elected government to step down so that they can install an unelected “people’s council” to reform the political system and root out corruption.

On Thursday, Thaugsuban led protesters through the streets of Bangkok and explained: “We disagree with the election but we’re not obstructing it, otherwise someone could say we are violating people’s rights. So whoever wants to vote, they can. But what we’re trying to campaign for is that if you agree with us don’t vote.”

A protest leader was killed and around a dozen people were injured in a clash near a polling station during advance voting on Sunday in Bangkok. The protesters prevented early voting in many parts of Bangkok and the south.

Thailand’s embattled government is pushing ahead with the election on Sunday despite warnings that it could end in violence