PM to use Article 44 to break impasse over political parties

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

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DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR VITAL ORGANISING MOVES WHILE BAN ON ACTIVITIES REMAINS

IN AN ATTEMPT to reduce pressure from politicians regarding the ban on political activities, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will use his absolute powers under Article 44 to amend the Political Party Act to extend deadlines for parties to prepare themselves for the next election.

 

But political party meetings and the registration for new parties will still not be allowed under the junta’s ban, which has been in force since the 2014 coup.

 

The new deadlines have not been publicised but they should be addressed in the order, which is expected to be implemented by the end of this year.

 

 

Prayut said the order would only allow parties to “clear up an administrative dilemma”.

 

Despite the deadline extension, the premier said, the so-called “road map to democracy” would not be altered, including his earlier affirmation that an election will be held by November next year.

 

“There are still organic laws to be deliberated, so don’t worry,” Prayut said, referring to the bill drafts on the election of MPs and origin of the Senate, two of four laws essential to hold an election.

 

The 2017 Constitution stipulates that once the four laws – on the election of MPs, Senate origin, Election Commission and political parties – are implemented, an election must be organised within 150 days.

 

The prime minister’s remarks came as politicians have expressed concern that the junta’s lingering ban on political gatherings of five or more people had prevented them from organising in line with the Political Party Act.

 

Parties are supposed to follow deadlines stipulated by the bill’s Article 141, which were set from the day of its enactment. For example, they need to update their membership lists within 90 days.

 

As the bill was officially enacted on October 7, that deadline is January 5.

 

However, political movements with a history of supporting the junta have voiced support for amendments to the bill in the past week, which they claimed would “provide fairness to all sides”.

 

Government Spokesperson Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd added that the NCPO would lift the political ban after the MP election bill was promulgated, which is expectedly in June.

 

“It means the political parties can begin their activities 150 days before the election is held,” he said.

 

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) meeting yesterday concluded the deadline extension using Article 44 would avoid legal conflicts and complications, he said.

 

He added that the order would establish a fair playing field for all, including existing and new parties.

 

“The new parties will be able to register at the same time as the old parties are allowed to hold meetings. Everyone will get to start together,” the spokesperson said.

 

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday questioned the decision to use Article 44 to carry out the amendment.

 

Abhisit said impediments to the promulgation of the political party law had not originated from some outside party, but from the junta itself, which would issue an order that contradicted the recently passed law.

 

“If you invoke a special power to override a law, you must come up with a clear reason as to why. What you do will prove whether it’s about reforms or just personal benefit,” Abhisit said.

 

He also criticised Prayut in regards to his announcement, made during a recent trip to the Northeast, that his backing of certain political groups would be “no less evil” than previous systems.

 

Prayut told villagers in Kalasin that if they wanted to pick a prime minister, they should choose one similar to him, apparently suggesting that he would not stand in the next general election.

 

Abhisit said the junta tended to criticise political parties as evil, so he questioned whether the junta should be branded the same if it acts politically.

 

“I don’t want to see the country stuck in the mud. Reform means change, not just newcomers taking turns on stage. We need to get out of the evil loop,” Abhisit said.

 

He added that the junta government should be accountable and if it cannot hold the election as promised, it should tell people clearly.

Meanwhile, the founder of the People’s Reform Party, Paiboon Nititawan, said he would submit proposals to National Legislative Assembly (NLA) President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai and PM Prayut to create exemptions regarding the political party law, including provisions for a primary round of voting.

 

Paiboon said the primary vote would require procedures that he believed parties would not be able to conduct. Exemptions could be implemented via Article 44 or normal NLA processes, he said.

 

Paiboon also called for the junta’s ban on political gathering and activities to remain in force until the Election Commission declares the election results. However, some exemptions should be made for political activities within parties, such as meetings, he said.

 

The latest proposals came on top of Paiboon’s call last week to amend the party law to nullify all members to create fairness between existing parties and new ones.

 

Chief constitution drafter Meechai Ruchupan said Paiboon’s proposal was viable if the current stipulation caused problems or difficulties.

 

He said the law allowed current members to maintain their memberships, but it also laid out strict qualifications. If party members committed wrongdoing, they will be punished, he added.

 

Meechai said another cause of concern was that regulations only required parties to report their current registration records to the Election Commission, which authorities might want to consider.

 

Regarding the lifting of the political ban, Meechai as an NCPO member said he could not answer for the institution but personally he thought the decision would rely on the situation.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30334335

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-20

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, political movements with a history of supporting the junta have voiced support for amendments to the bill in the past week, which they claimed would “provide fairness to all sides”.

 

There are no "...movements with a history of supporting the Junta...".

 

There is only ONE 'movement'and that is Suthep and his rent-a-mob. 

 

Once again the 'Yellow/Green' side is attempting to cheat. As they always try to cheat. Coups, boycotts, suspect judicial rulings, administrative 'orders', selective prosecution, etc.etc.etc. Each and every time the 'Yellow/Green' side tries to cheat rather than to compete fairly.

 

Here's a novel idea; why don't the 'Yellow/Green' people come up with a series of proposals designed to win support from the Thai people and then run a clean election campaign based on your ideas?

 

And stop cheating.

7 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

There are no "...movements with a history of supporting the Junta...".

 

There is only ONE 'movement'and that is Suthep and his rent-a-mob. 

 

Once again the 'Yellow/Green' side is attempting to cheat. As they always try to cheat. Coups, boycotts, suspect judicial rulings, administrative 'orders', selective prosecution, etc.etc.etc. Each and every time the 'Yellow/Green' side tries to cheat rather than to compete fairly.

 

Here's a novel idea; why don't the 'Yellow/Green' people come up with a series of proposals designed to win support from the Thai people and then run a clean election campaign based on your ideas?

 

And stop cheating.

Wow! Sounds like reasonable 'farang' thinking.  

 

Just not wanted in the Kingdom though 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Paiboon also called for the junta’s ban on political gathering and activities to remain in force until the Election Commission declares the election results

My prediction is that the Junta will again respond positively to pressures from politicians. 

So political parties are ok.... but meetings to discuss party policy and campaigning issues are not

 

I must need to re read the OP

10 hours ago, webfact said:

He said the law allowed current members to maintain their memberships, but it also laid out strict qualifications. If party members committed wrongdoing, they will be punished, he added

Wrongdoing? Like what for instance . . . farting during disallowed meetings, referring to P1 in terms that relate to farting or doing anything that might take the wind out of Fart Almighty's sails.

And, another thing . . . what can he do if he takes the Fartmobile, to apply his total and absolute power to a wrongdoer, only to find that his driver - normally Prawit, but he's doing time, currently - has left Farticle 44 in the cupboard, back at Govt. House?

What the hell is this Farticle 44, anyway . . . is it like an ancient scroll, with these spine-chilling powers set out in fancy NCPO-style meaningless drivel? I can just imagine P1 knocking on some poor wrongdoer's door - dolled-up in his fancy white party suit - and then hiding behind the Farticle board and, when the door opens, sticking out his grinning face and screaming, "Ha-ha . . . you've just been Farticled."

I'll tell you what . . . it's hellish windy, this way, today . . . what's it like your way?

13 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will use his absolute powers under Article 44 to

... does anyone really care anymore?

Prayut shows time and again he cannot govern a nation through laws even when the laws are his own. He is beginning to make autocracy look ridiculous more than any critic could accomplish.

Quote

 

Paiboon also called for the junta’s ban on political gathering and activities to remain in force until the Election Commission declares the election results.

 

I am so confused. You cannot have political gatherings or political activities until after the election?!

The logic is so overwhelming I feel dizzy.

I (PM) am outta here soon - this will teach not to mess with me..........