Political party fundraising still banned: EC

By The Nation

 

File photo: Gen Prawit Wongsuwan

 

Political parties formed under the new law are allowed to collect only seed funding from founding members and membership fees from all members, the Election Commission (EC) and junta leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan reaffirmed on Friday, following the Future Forward Party (FWP) controversy.

 

The EC's deputy secretary-general Sawang Boonmee reiterated yesterday that fundraising was a political activity still banned by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) despite the latest relaxation.

 

He explained that party’s may have four major sources of income - seed capital, donations, raised fund, and membership fees.

 

Seed capital is money raised only from founding members, he said. Only parties formed under the old law may take their existing money from membership fees or donations as seed capital.

 

The membership fee is collected only from members, he added.

 

These are only two sources of income allowed, according to junta orders.

 

Fundraising and donation campaigns require the junta’s permission to be conducted, the EC said.

 

Prawit also said on Friday that parties should first seek permission with the NCPO.

 

However, he said it was up to the EC to decide on political matters and the NCPO was only in charge of keeping peace and order.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that the NCPO did not specifically ban donations to political parties or fundraising. But it was up to the EC to draw the line, he said.

 

The FWP raised more than Bt20 million from membership fees, donations, and fundraising through souvenir selling since last weekend when they for the first time opened membership applications.

 

Controversy was sparked after the EC red flagged the activities, saying fundraising and getting donations violated the political ban.

 

The party, however, argued new parties could not possibly have sufficient funds to run in the election if such activities were banned.

 

The move also raised a question if the agency’s discrimination against anti-junta parties.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30356339

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-12

Nohhhh --- please, not this photo at a nice Friday evening. Have mercy!!!

.....and it seems as this command is being ignored by those whom it concerns. 

The revolution awaits.

So tomorrow we will see Suthep in trouble for collecting donations in the bangkok market?

The NCPO and their creation, the EC dont even know their own rules but haven't the nerve to say so. But its quite obvious that the numbers involved in getting behind the FFP has got them incensed enough to suggest its banned. 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The move also raised a question if the agency’s discrimination against anti-junta parties.

If ?  People are still asking these stupid questions ?

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Political party fundraising still banned: EC

Excellent news, I have advised all my family that there is no need to pay income tax this year.

23 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

The NCPO and their creation, the EC dont even know their own rules but haven't the nerve to say so. But its quite obvious that the numbers involved in getting behind the FFP has got them incensed enough to suggest its banned. 

Sure. 

They're quite aware of the overwhelming and growing popularity, and downright support, of the likes of the FFP - the obvious threat has been planted. 

 

Even the illogical manner of the Junta gang wouldn't want to create a martyr situation unnecessarily. 

2 hours ago, rebo said:

Nohhhh --- please, not this photo at a nice Friday evening. Have mercy!!!

The time means nothing - not now he hasn't a watch!

Rebellions don't require faux elections.

 

Ready for the weekend quiz? Spot the difference:

 

Political party fundraising still banned

Political parties still banned

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Political party fundraising still banned: EC

Well of course.  The junta has bestowed true Democracy in the form of a February 2019 election!
But now the political parties want to raise campaign funds?  What's next?  A demand for a level playing field and actual campaigning?  Sheezz.  Give these people and arm and then they want a leg too.