Ex-MPs warn of impact on economy from poll delay

By The Sunday Nation

 

File photo: Nikorn Chamnong, a former member of Parliament and a member of the National Reform Steering Assembly

 

Democrat mp sees attempts being made to ensure the junta returns to power 

 

The Thai economy will take a hit if international confidence in the country’s return to democracy is negatively affected by any delay in holding the general election slated for November, several former lawmakers have warned.

 

Nikorn Chamnong, a former member of Parliament and a member of the National Reform Steering Assembly, said the likely 90-day postponement of elections also ran counter to the intent of the current charter’s Articles 267 and 268.

 

He said the charter already allowed a total of 150 days for authorities to prepare for the elections so there should not be any further delay.

 

In addition, he said, supporters of the current charter who had exercised their right in the August 7, 2016 referendum would also be hurt, as they were expecting the general election to be held as announced.

 

Nikorn warned that a delay would lead to more public criticism of the National Council for Peace and Order (NPCO), since it would be seen as attempting to hold on to power.

He said a delay in the election would tarnish the image of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and he urged members of the National Legislative Assembly to oppose any attempts to postpone it.

 

Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a member of the Election Commission (EC), also warned that the likely delay did not bode well for the country’s future, even though it would be acceptable if there were good reasons for the postponement.

 

He said political parties should have expressed their lack of preparedness for the polls in order to justify the 90-day delay. If more time was needed to prepare for the election, it would be the EC’s duty to clarify the situation, he said, noting that if the NCPO were not ready for the polls they should go public to explain the decision.

 

Overall, he said, a further delay would not be good for the country’s image because the Thai public and foreigners had been told all along the general election would take place around November this year.

 

Ong-art Karmpaibul, a deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said the likely delay in holding the election by another 90 days is not surprising as there have been reports that a new political party was being set up for the powers-that-be to return to power.

 

According to Ong-art, the strategy is to use the new party to attract former MPs from existing major and other smaller political parties and it will support the NCPO head’s return to power.

 

As a result, more time is needed to make such an arrangement to achieve the goal.

 

In addition, he said, the NCPO had not lifted a ban on political parties’ activities even though the political party law has been effective for several months.

 

The NCPO chief also has exercised his power under Article 44 to impose tougher conditions on members of political parties in order to shake up the voters’ base of major parties, he said, cautioning that the latest move could lead to a lack of legitimacy for the new government following the general election.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30336760

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-21

Nah, no problem! Here we always seem to find a way to hold the Baht at a steady and trustworthy level. Even if it means that it´s a risk landing on the watchlist for currancy manipulation.

 

All this talk of going to the NLA, or the courts, or... blah blah blah is nonsense.

 

The Junta wants/needs the legitimacy of an election; without it they are merely thugs who seized power. If they are delaying the election in order to cheat in an election, call them on the legitimacy issue. If they change the rules, call them on the legitimacy issue. If they are affecting the status of the existing parties, call them on the legitimacy issue. Hell, if they go to the bathroom wrong, call them on the legitimacy issue.

 

The only reason that we are talking about elections is that the Junta wants legitimacy. If they don't play fair (and they will certainly try not to), scream "illegitimate! Illegitimate! Illegitimate!" .

 

If you allow them to manipulate the rules to the point that they win before it even begins, why bother?

 

The only power the parties have is to deny legitimacy. Use it for all it is worth.

 

PS for all those who think the Junta doesn't need or care about legitimacy, let me ask: if they don't need or care about legitimacy, why are we talking about an election?

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

The Junta... ...are merely thugs who seized power. If they are delaying the election in order to cheat in an election, call them on the legitimacy issue. If they change the rules, call them on the legitimacy issue. If they are affecting the status of the existing parties, call them on the legitimacy issue. Hell, if they go to the bathroom wrong, call them on the legitimacy issue.

Hmmm... wouldn't that be considered protesting against Little P and his junta?  And isn't protesting against them in any form verboten?  Wonder which Thai politician is willing to face jail time to "call them on the legitimacy issue".

4 hours ago, Get Real said:

Nah, no problem! Here we always seem to find a way to hold the Baht at a steady and trustworthy level. Even if it means that it´s a risk landing on the watchlist for currancy manipulation.

 

They are in danger of being criticized for attempting to hold the Baht to low !! 

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

supporters of the current charter who had exercised their right in the August 7, 2016 referendum would also be hurt, as they were expecting the general election to be held as announced.

They deserve the betrayal.

They should have expected betrayal when the referendum on the draft constitution was passed by 33.6% of total eligible voters. The EC recommended and was denied by the CDC to base passage on majority of total eligible voters instead of actual voter turnout. Given the draconian restrictions on freedom of expression imposed by the junta's Referendum Act, the resulting low voter turnout favored passage.

Why would those who voted for the draft charter expect no further junta manipulations? But maybe late than never.

 

The ex-MP's money running low ?

2 hours ago, BuaBS said:

The ex-MP's money running low ?

And what info did you base that comment on?

The West wont care about elections except as lip service,they want to make money and the Baht is strong at the moment,too strong for many Thai exporters and the government came close to the Americans calling them currency manipulators for holding the Baht back from rising. It doesn't matter who is in power they have some very good people in the treasury.

The delay is starting to attract world press stories.

 

The watches are also in the news, with the lame retort that they have been lent.

 

Red and yellow are feeling the wool pass their eyes.

 

Some people can walk and some can't.

 

People are still being called in by the military and held.

 

This delay in elections is polarising the short comings of the military regime.

 

Its hard to be political in Thailand's climate, but there are some brave souls there testing the water. The General and his band of brothers are circling the wagons, as most of the damage done so far is self inflicted. Shot in the foot.

 

But honestly why would you want Yingluck back at the moment. It doesn't make sense.