EC flags up ‘legal obstacles’ in calendar for next election

By THE NATION

 

 

THE ELECTION Commission (EC) has prepared a calendar for the next election to be discussed with the government, according to the agency’s chief.
 

EC president Supachai Somcharoen said yesterday that the calendar was in line with the government’s road map but he declined to disclose details. “It could be viewed as forcing the government to fol?low the calendar, which is not appropriate,” he said.

 

Supachai said that at its upcoming meeting with the government to discuss the election, the EC plans to suggest eliminating legal obstacles that prevent political parties from complying with the elec?toral law ahead of the national vote.

 

The obstacles result from the junta’s orders, including the ban on political activities. Parties have been unable to convene meetings or hold primary voting among party members to select election candidates, which is required by electoral law.

 

Supachai said the EC also was likely to ask the National Council for Peace and Order to issue a new order under Article 44 of the post-coup charter, to allow the agency to designate constituencies before the new law on the election of MPs comes into effect. 

 

The EC team is to be headed by its secretary general Jarungvith Phumma, Supachai said.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has called a meeting with representatives from the EC and the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) today at Government House to discuss legal matters regarding preparations for the election, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said yesterday.

 

Wissanu is in charge of the government’s legal affairs.

 

Meechai yesterday also attempted to allay concerns by political parties about the limited time remaining for them to prepare for the election.

 

He said that the new constituencies would not be much different from the ones used in previous polls, and he did not think the designation would take much time.

 

Political parties could communicate with their members through modern channels, so it would not take too much time for them to prepare for primary vot?ing, Meechai said.

 

Also, a provisional clause in the electoral law states that in the first election after the new legislation takes effect, political parties are allowed to hold primary voting by provinces, and not constituencies, he said.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinted yesterday that he would not attend the meeting between the government and political parties to be held later this month.

 

He said a deputy prime minister could represent the government at the meeting.

 

Proposals collected from politicians during the meeting would later be forwarded to him and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to consider, he said.

 

Among other suggestions, the PM expected a proposal for the NCPO to lift its ban on political parties.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30347619

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-13

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

EC president Supachai Somcharoen said yesterday that the calendar was in line with the government’s road map but he declined to disclose details. “It could be viewed as forcing the government to fol?low the calendar, which is not appropri?ate,” he said.

If the 'calendar' is in line with government proposals, how could it not be appropriate? The EC is the body tasked for running an election; it is VERY appropriate that it take all steps to ensure that they are both timely and fair.

 

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinted yesterday that he would not attend the meeting between the government and political parties to be held later this month. 

He said a deputy prime minister could represent the government at the meeting. 

Proposals collected from politicians during the meeting would later be forwarded to him and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to consider, he said. 

Among other suggestions, the PM expected a proposal for the NCPO to lift its ban on political parties.

Why does the NCPO need to be asked to lift the ban on political activities? If they were sincere, they could simply lift it. It is almost like they are enjoying a power trip and don't want to have 'free and fair' elections...

 

That couldn't be right, could it? I mean, that would be dishonourable...

 

(Sarcasm alert)

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Supachai said that at its upcoming meeting with the government to discuss the election, the EC plans to suggest elim?inating legal obstacles that prevent polit?ical parties from complying with the elec?toral law ahead of the national vote.

it is official, thailand cannot govern itself

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinted yesterday that he would not attend the meeting between the government and political parties to be held later this month

Must be that time of the month, add to that still fuming over the shins US tour while he rode around Nakhon Nowhere in a tractor.

'...flags up legal obstacles...' prelude to another delay?????

2 hours ago, YetAnother said:

it is official, thailand cannot govern itself

Don't worry their friends from the "Motherland to be" are preparing to take that part.

Why still no politics?

This not make sense.

Frog-kisser cheat!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Among other suggestions, the PM expected a proposal for the NCPO to lift its ban on political parties.

The joke that there is some independence between the government and the NCPO continues.

As all know, PM Prayut is the Chief of the NCPO (aka junta). So he expects from himself a proposal to lift the ban. Mark that down as another government success.

Why is the CDC still around ???

The drafting has been done. 

Why are you still here !!!

Another delay spells serious trouble for this country. Surely the Junta can see they are headlong on the road to self destruction. Perhaps they think guns and tanks is the logical solution. Thailand will be cast out of the world by the great powers and sink into a North Korean situation if that is their thinking.