EC chief sees no reason to delay elections

By THE NATION

 

 

THE CHIEF election commissioner said yesterday that he saw no reason for the election to be delayed, though a decision on the matter will be made after the junta’s organs meet with political parties.

 

Ittiporn Boonpracong, president of the Election Commission (EC), also said that even if that meeting agrees on postponing the election, his agency will not take responsibility for it because it was not required to do so by any law.

 

“But there must be good reason and sufficient explanation for the postponement,” he added.

 

Ittiporn said the meeting will be scheduled after the new law on MP elections goes into effect on December 11. 

 

The meeting is required under an order issued by the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) last year, which has empowered itself to “work with” the EC in setting the election date.

 

Government figures have been repeatedly saying that the next election will be held on February 24, though politicians and critics suspect moves are being made to put the national vote off. 

 

The EC president was responding to calls from some small political parties and groups to postpone elections, while major parties insisted yesterday that they were ready to contest for votes. 

 

The EC held a meeting with representatives from political parties and groups applying to become political parties at the Centra Government Complex Hotel and Convention Centre on Chaeng Wattana Road. 

 

The event, presided over by Ittiporn, was attended by 306 representatives from 72 political parties and 14 groups applying to become political parties. 

 

At the event, election authorities explained the laws and regulations in relation to preparations for the national vote. 

 

On the sidelines of yesterday’s meeting, Suratin Pijan, leader of the New Democracy Party, yesterday submitted a petition for the election to be held on February 24 as tentatively scheduled. 

 

He said all 19 small parties in his group wanted the elections to be held on that day, as promised by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

However, another group of small parties, led by Sathu Anumothami from the Palang Thai Dee Party, handed in a written request before the meeting asking the EC to push the election to May 5, the last date allowed by law. 

 

Sathu, claiming to represent 13 parties and groups, explained that if the election was not delayed, many “good political parties” will be prevented from offering themselves as choices to voters. 

 

He also maintained that his group was acting independently. Once the law on MP elections goes into effect on December 11, an election must be held within 150 days.

 

At yesterday’s event, Democrat Party registrar Pongsri Tharaphum said the election should not be postponed, as the date has been repeatedly backed by the government, the NCPO and the EC. 

 

A similar stance was expressed by Thai Raksa Chart Party member Pichit Chuenban, who agreed that there was no reason to delay the election and putting it off so all parties can be prepared was unreasonable. 

 

Meanwhile, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) endorsed the last two election commissioners yesterday, resulting in all seven EC posts being filled. 

 

The new commissioners are former Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry’s permanent secretary Lertviroj Kowattana and Lawyers Council adviser Thitichet Nuchanart. 

 

Both of them, who earlier were nominated by a selection committee, received support from the NLA’s majority, or at least 120 votes. 

Lertviroj got 148 votes for and 28 against, while Thitichet obtained 149 votes for and 27 votes against. The NLA has 240 members.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30359127

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-23

The biggest reason I can see is that the playing field is massively skewed, and that certain parties have their own set of rules and freedoms that other parties don't. And the other reason, 2 months to campaign (if it even is that long) is nowhere near enough realistically

I see there are a few smaller parties asking for a delay as they need more time. I wonder if they’re affiliated with the junta. Expect a lot more denials and deflecting as we get closer to February. 

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

though a decision on the matter will be made after the junta’s organs meet with political parties.

let's call it like it is; the EC members are junta representatives, they are in effect the junta, any 'reasons' , 'decisions' are the junta's

42 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

let's call it like it is; the EC members are junta representatives, they are in effect the junta, any 'reasons' , 'decisions' are the junta's

Let's seeeee......

We've done this before, haven't we?

 

 

The biggest reason I can see is that the playing field is massively skewed, and that certain parties have their own set of rules and freedoms that other parties don't. And the other reason, 2 months to campaign (if it even is that long) is nowhere near enough realistically

But YL called an election there was less then 60 days to campaign. (Ok that election never happened but it was less then 60 days)

So it is nothing new but this certainly puts the new parties at a disadvantage. The old parties like PTP hold an advantage over them and junta parties have even more advantages.

Anyway we will see then who can raid the countries treasury for the next 4 years. (I hope they survive that long whoever it is)

As there are IMHO no real good options and nobody will attack corruption the problems stay and political violence will not end until the money is gone from politics.

Still im real curious about the outcome but have no favourites besides maybe future forward but they have to prove themselves.

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Edited November 23, 20187 yr by edwinchester

13 minutes ago, robblok said:

But YL called an election there was less then 60 days to campaign. (Ok that election never happened but it was less then 60 days)

So it is nothing new but this certainly puts the new parties at a disadvantage. The old parties like PTP hold an advantage over them and junta parties have even more advantages.

Anyway we will see then who can raid the countries treasury for the next 4 years. (I hope they survive that long whoever it is)

As there are IMHO no real good options and nobody will attack corruption the problems stay and political violence will not end until the money is gone from politics.

Still im real curious about the outcome but have no favourites besides maybe future forward but they have to prove themselves.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
 

When Yingluck called an election at short notice all the parties were allowed to campaign at will, all the candidates were in place and all memberships were in order. That is hardly the case this time around because the Junta has denied almost any party activity until very recently.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

junta’s organs meet

Sound like a promotional tagline for massage parlour. Place "where organs meet". ???? 

When Yingluck called an election at short notice all the parties were allowed to campaign at will, all the candidates were in place and all memberships were in order. That is hardly the case this time around because the Junta has denied almost any party activity until very recently.

Sorry i don't see much difference as they will allow campaigning at will for 60 days too. Memberships are now in order. Any small new party would have had the same difficulties back then as they face now.

Of course i cant be sure as the real campaigning has not happened and if restrictions are placed the your right. But the 60 day term is the same.

I do worry about the fact that the junta won't allow attacks on them that is not free campaigning if that is the case then i agree 100% with you

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On 11/22/2018 at 6:36 PM, YetAnother said:

let's call it like it is; the EC members are junta representatives, they are in effect the junta, any 'reasons' , 'decisions' are the junta's

Exactly, and the junta has become aware that any popularity they may have had is rapidly dissipating. That fact along with allowing other parties longer to campaign would increase the difficulty in manipulating this election.