PM promises easing of political restrictions once two poll-related bills enacted

[snoop1130]

PM promises easing of political restrictions once two poll-related bills enacted

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that political restrictions would be eased to allow political parties to conduct certain political activities once the charter-mandated bill on the election of members of parliament and the other bill on the selection of senators are promulgated.

 

He noted that the 90-day period between September and December after the enactment of the two laws would be the right time for political restrictions to be partially lifted.

 

Speaking after chairing a meeting of the National Council for Peace and Order to discuss the easing of political restrictions as proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Gen Prayut reiterated that the military junta had no intention to delay the much-awaited election.  Gen Prayut last week insisted the February timeframe for the election would be kept for the time being but didn’t rule out the possibility of it being put off.

 

Full Story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-promises-easing-of-political-restrictions-once-two-poll-related-bills-enacted/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-8-28

[zzaa09]

Wondering what their real slippery plan of action might be. 

 

As if we didn't know already.

Enigmatic signals.

 

 

[KhunFred]

They never lie to us, so no problem. Nation, religion and Prayut.

[ratcatcher]

A winning smile. I would buy a used car from this man, would you? 

[ratcatcher]

A winning smile. I would buy a used car from this man, would you? 

[Esso49]

I think I just saw three pink pigs flying past my window

[Cadbury]

56 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

PM promises.......blah, blah, blah!

PM promises......where have I heard that before?

Election dates? Stopping flooding? Clearing pavements? Fixing lotteries? Solving Bangkok traffic problems? 

Like fake news, this falls under the category of fake promises. 

What is it about this man that credibility seriously eludes him?

 

[baboon]

Nobody believes a word you have to say. Sod off and take your fellow plunderers with you.

[webfact]

Politicians unhappy with limited freedoms

By KAS CHANWANPEN, 
KHANITTHA THEPPAJON 
THE NATION 

 

 

PARTIAL LIFTING OF BAN GETS CAUTIOUS WELCOME; EARLIEST ELECTION DATE IS FEB 24
 

POLITICIANS yesterday gave a |cautious welcome to the junta’s easing of political restrictions that have been in place since the 2014 coup – but they said more had to be done to allow political parties to better prepare for the general election. 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that the ban on political activities would be partially relaxed from next month, by invoking his absolute power under Article 44 of the interim charter, ahead of the election that is expected to be held between February and May. In effect, the leader assured that the road map to democracy would go ahead as promised.

 

His remark came after the weekly meeting of the ruling junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). 

 

Prayut said the NCPO had initially agreed that the ban should be relaxed soon after the final two electoral legislations were promulgated. He was referring to the organic laws on MP elections and the Senate structure, which are expected to get royal endorsement next month.

 

“So, everything follows the same schedules [announced earlier],” Prayut said. “The earliest date possible is February 24, and it can be held on any Sunday as recommended by the Election Commission. The |government has no intention to delay the election any further.”

 

Political activities that will be allowed include the selection of party executives, membership applications and the selection of MP candidates, Prayut said.

 

The relaxation should help solve every electoral problem facing political parties, he said. 

 

Parties and politicians have been paralysed since the junta took power in 2014 and imposed restrictions, citing the need for peace and order. The ban continued even after the new Constitution was put in place, stopping them from making preparations for the first election in five years.

 

 

Cautious welcome

 

Politicians cautiously welcomed the junta move yesterday as the easing of restrictions will finally allow their parties to make some necessary arrangements ahead of the national vote.

 

Deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Ongart Klampaiboon, told The Nation that it was a good sign that Prayut had finally cleared up the matter, though he still wanted to see details of the move to determine if it was practical.

 

“This is just a general direction. We’ll still have to see what the new order will bring,” he said. “Our party just wants an order that will allow us to make preparations for the election as required by the organic laws. We don’t mind partial lifting and full lifting of the ban being done separately.” 

 

Ongart was referring to the fact that the initial easing would only give politicians a certain degree of freedom, while the entire lifting of the ban would come later this year.

 

Future Forward Party’s deputy leader Chamnan Chanruang said his party was confident it would be able to meet any requirements, but whether the premier’s word could be taken seriously was another matter.

 

“We have three or four experiences [when Prayut failed to keep his words about the election date]. I hope this time he doesn’t have any more reasons to delay it,” Chamnan said.

 

He added that since the ban should never have been imposed, his party did not find it necessary to be grateful for its removal.

 

Future Forward has campaigned for the election and will continue to do so regardless of the ban, he said. 

 

“The party never paid attention to such limitations, and when it’s officially lifted, we’ll just proceed accordingly,” Chamnan said.

 

Chart Thai Pattana Party director Nikorn Chamnong also welcomed NCPO’s move, saying political parties need to be able to move more freely, particularly on urgent tasks, such as member recruitment and primary voting preparations, ahead of the general election.

 

Nikorn said the NCPO should also consider enacting Article 44 power to authorise the Election Commission (EC) to rejig constituencies, a crucial element for parties to prepare for primary voting to select their candidates, ahead of the enforcement of a new MP election law. 

 

The EC generally has to wait until a decree is issued announcing the election date before it can designate constituencies.

 

Pheu Thai politician Worawat Auapinyakul yesterday called for a complete removal of the ban so parties can start campaigning in time for the ballot.

 

“The primary voting system has been a hurdle to all parties,” Worawat said. “Those new parties will have to seek trustworthy representatives and members in every constituency they’re going to contest. Even the Pheu Thai Party will have to do lots of work in constituencies where we don’t have an MP.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30353189

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-29

[Samui Bodoh]

"...Politicians unhappy with limited freedoms.."

 

If that is the case, and it damn well should be, then get on the proverbial soapbox and scream bloody murder!

 

I am so tired of the obsequious pandering by the political class (with a few exceptions). If you truly believe that you should be the people's representative and that people should have the right to choose their own leadership, then you have a duty to fight. Sitting down, whingeing like a little girl and complaining that the 'bad man won't let me' is pathetic.

 

Unhappy with your limited freedoms?

 

Then get off your fat ass and fight for them.

 

 

[Get Real]

I like point 5 on the infographics. So, theese deluted people really believe that party members have been going on without contact with eachother for over 4 years?

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Politicians unhappy with limited freedoms.."

 

If that is the case, and it damn well should be, then get on the proverbial soapbox and scream bloody murder!

 

I am so tired of the obsequious pandering by the political class (with a few exceptions). If you truly believe that you should be the people's representative and that people should have the right to choose their own leadership, then you have a duty to fight. Sitting down, whingeing like a little girl and complaining that the 'bad man won't let me' is pathetic.

 

Unhappy with your limited freedoms?

 

Then get off your fat ass and fight for them.

 

 

That would be a bloody fight.

Sure wouldn't expect it to be pretty. 

 

Sometimes the only way to save the grand dying tree is to completely severe the rotting limbs and remove them permanently.

[Lupatria]

According to the saying: “Lies have short legs” the guys running the show here, must all have callus on their scrotum.

[NoshowJones]

18 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

A winning smile. I would buy a used car from this man, would you? 

Yes, of course, he doesn't have a mouser.

[rosst]

22 hours ago, Cadbury said:

PM promises......where have I heard that before?

Election dates? Stopping flooding? Clearing pavements? Fixing lotteries? Solving Bangkok traffic problems? 

Like fake news, this falls under the category of fake promises. 

What is it about this man that credibility seriously eludes him?

 

You forgot the big one "stop corruption" or did you get a big envelope? 

[Chris Lawrence]

That's Nice.

[chama]

23 hours ago, Esso49 said:

I think I just saw three pink pigs flying past my window

Keep watching, the fourth and fifth are lagging behind but will be along shortly. They are carrying a Prayut campaign poster and the wind drag is slowing them down a little.