Local elections likely later this year: Anupong

 

 

Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said today local elections, including the one for Bangkok, are likely to be held before the end of this year as the Council of State, the agency which advises state agencies on legal issues, is in the process of wrapping up amendments of six related laws.

 

All local elections in the country have been suspended since the National Council for Peace and Order came to power four years ago. The six laws that Gen Anupong referred to concern elections of the Bangkok Metropolican Administration (BMA), Pattaya City, provincial administration organisations (PAOs) and municipalities of various levels.

 

He said the Interior Ministry is coordinating closely with the Council of State about the law amendments. The Election Commission is seeking to amend more than 100 items in these laws while the Council of State tries to speed up the amendment process by meeting twice a week, he said.

 

Full Story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/local-elections-likely-later-year-anupong/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-6-5

This will be the tester for the junta. They will throw in a couple of Captains, Privates as candidates and see how they go. Nothing too high up the pecking order in case they go so bad and lose face. If they don't do well maybe just maybe the General election will be put on ice for a while

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Election Commission is seeking to amend more than 100 items in these laws

 

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The six laws that Gen Anupong referred to

Seems hush-hush on what these laws relate to but I suspect further restrictions and controls that will affect election qualifications, bans and suppression of anti-military opposition.

There has been recent mention (actually considered by the Junta in 2015 for the new constitution) to embed "people's committees into the local government who would monitor the performance of local elected officials with the power to recall officials. Why else would the Interior Minister interject the federal government into "local" elections?

7 hours ago, Happyman58 said:

General election

I see what you did there ?

There is sure to be some money and fake promises flying around. Very important electoral battles for those who want to get their snouts into the junta 2nd class troughs.

From my understanding, the relevant minister was meeting/travelling a lot of Mayors and local offices. He was copping the same question over and over again about the time of local elections. He gave a response to end the questioning, the news jumped on it (resulting in use being here). However, as far as I am aware, local elections happening anytime before the central election are not part of the plan. 

Edited June 7, 20188 yr by wildewillie89