Political ban to stay until next year, but party registration permitted: Wissanu

[webfact]

Political ban to stay until next year, but party registration permitted: Wissanu

By THE NATION

 

 

THE RELAXATION of the ban on political activity will probably occur next year given the amendment of six relevant laws to align them with the Constitution, which is required to hold a local election.

However, political parties could start updating their records now to meet the registration deadline set for early January by the organic law, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday after a meeting regarding organising local elections. Such activity would not be counted as violating the political ban, he added.

 

The statement came after days of confusion, following the junta’s ambiguous remarks that it would allow local elections before the next general election and might consider lifting the political ban to some degree. 

 

Pressure had been mounting after the promulgation of the organic law on political parties, which stipulates strict deadlines for party activities starting at the date of the law’s implementation.

 

However, the amendment of the six laws involving local elections could not possibly be done this year, considering the new year is less than two months away, Wissanu said. 

 

The laws had already been revised by the Council of State, Wissanu said, adding that after a process of hearing opinions, the legislation would be deliberated by the Cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) respectively. 

 

Local elections could take place and lifting the political ban could be considered only after that process, Wissanu said. 

 

All decisions concerning the election and political ban would be made by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), he insisted. 

 

Regarding concerns over preparations by political parties to be eligible to run in the next election, Wissanu said the NCPO would not prevent them from activities such as registering members. 

 

Meetings of between five and 10 people might not always be counted as political activity, he said, adding that he believed political parties could operate under such conditions.

 

On Wednesday, chief charter writer Meechai Ruchupan proposed amending the organic law specifying deadlines for political parties. In response, Wissanu said yesterday that he did not want to be leading on the issue, but added that there were a few ways in which an amendment was possible.

 

For example, the Cabinet could make the amendment with the approval of related independent agencies, he said. At least 25 NLA members could also push for an amendment or related independent agencies could propose it, Wissanu said. 

 

If the law is amended, the parties would no longer face a “ticking clock”, Wissanu said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30331810

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-17

[yellowboat]

There seems to be an absence of clarity still after three years. 

Edited November 17, 2017 by yellowboat

[klauskunkel]

I say just ignore the numpties. Their own authorities ignore rules without getting penalized, so go for it and meet all you want. You really think they will arrest you and cope with the worldwide resulting hullabaloo?

[Get Real]

Right in line with what was expected.

[Cadbury]

In other significant political news in a neighbouring country. Perhaps a sign of things to come in Thailand.

 

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/cambodia-tense-high-court-weighs-barring-opposition-171116085607399.html

[rkidlad]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

However, the amendment of the six laws involving local elections could not possibly be done this year, considering the new year is less than two months away, Wissanu said

Oh, of course not. They couldn't possibly do it that quick. Far too busy thinking of excuses to block things for when next year comes round.

 

But remember this, the new year isn't far away, and making new excuses will just get harder and harder. Your number is up. 

[baboon]

16 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Oh, of course not. They couldn't possibly do it that quick. Far too busy thinking of excuses to block things for when next year comes round.

 

But remember this, the new year isn't far away, and making new excuses will just get harder and harder. Your number is up. 

Well, they can always fall back on 'You WILL elect our party of choice or else we will simply annul the election'.

[rkidlad]

9 minutes ago, baboon said:

Well, they can always fall back on 'You WILL elect our party of choice or else we will simply annul the election'.

I dread to think where this is all going. It's building momentum, but do you think the PM will just put up his hands and leave his position? When you're at the very top, the only direction is down. 

[baboon]

15 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

I dread to think where this is all going. It's building momentum, but do you think the PM will just put up his hands and leave his position? When you're at the very top, the only direction is down. 

We both know where it is going: The 'good' people still running the show. It is just a question of under which name...

[NotUrFriend]

28 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

I dread to think where this is all going. It's building momentum, but do you think the PM will just put up his hands and leave his position? When you're at the very top, the only direction is down. 

He isn't at the very top...

[rkidlad]

4 minutes ago, NotUrFriend said:

He isn't at the very top...

You know what I mean. He thinks he is. 

[tracker1]

No problem you can have a Political Party just make sure no meetings until I say GO  or is that until I say so ?

[chama]

Please register....you can't do anything further but it will give authorities the ability to observe who will require "further attention" before the ban is lifted.

[SABloke]

Well, you need 5000 members total (or 500 in each voting district - I can't keep track) and each member needs to pay to be registered. So how the f-c- are you supposed to convince people to join your party if you can't meet with them? 

 

This is of course the whole plan, and come February there will be a proclamation of an election delay becuase political parties failed to register in time. All blame will be placed at the feet of the parties. 

[SABloke]

"Meetings of between five and 10 people might not always be counted as political activity"

 

When did this become a thing? All those drunken nights that could've been had at my house!

[coulson]

Anybody surprised?

 

Anyone......anyone???

 

 

 

 

[coulson]

15 hours ago, yellowboat said:

There seems to be an absence of clarity still after three years. 

No there isn't.

 

It's very clear.

 

 

[candide]

2 hours ago, SABloke said:

Well, you need 5000 members total (or 500 in each voting district - I can't keep track) and each member needs to pay to be registered. So how the f-c- are you supposed to convince people to join your party if you can't meet with them? 

 

This is of course the whole plan, and come February there will be a proclamation of an election delay becuase political parties failed to register in time. All blame will be placed at the feet of the parties. 

Or they would not be authorised to participate for failing to meet requirements.

Meanwhile the "volunteers movement", which is already allowed to hold meetings and to campaign, would have build a member base ready to be converted in party members

[wakeupplease]

3 hours ago, SABloke said:

Well, you need 5000 members total (or 500 in each voting district - I can't keep track) and each member needs to pay to be registered. So how the f-c- are you supposed to convince people to join your party if you can't meet with them? 

 

This is of course the whole plan, and come February there will be a proclamation of an election delay becuase political parties failed to register in time. All blame will be placed at the feet of the parties. 

Neither can they and they hope you find it confusing, Farangs exit door must be starting to open. Hope they are watching that lot across the ocean.

Edited November 17, 2017 by wakeupplease