Thailand to hold first general election since coup on March 24

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand to hold first general election since coup on March 24

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will hold a general election to restore civilian rule on March 24, the election commission said on Wednesday, announcing a new date for the often postponed vote, which will be the first since a 2014 military coup.

 

The commission said in December the elections would be held on Feb. 24, but the military government had expressed concern that election-related events would clash with early preparations for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, scheduled for May 4-6.

 

Last month, the military government lifted a ban on political activities to allow parties to campaign.

 

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-01-23

 

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

March 24 set as the national election day : EC

 

Ittiporn Boonpracong

 

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday sets March 24 as the national election day, EC’s chief Ittiporn Boonpracong said.

He was speaking at a press conference after chairing an urgent meeting of EC members.

 

The meeting was held after the long-awaited royal decree ordering a general election of members of Parliament was issued on Wednesday.

Ittiporn also detailed the processes of candidate registration, advance election and overseas balloting.

 

The constitutional process calls for the EC) to announce a date for the election within five days of the decree taking effect on Wednesday with its publication in the Royal Gazette.

 

The law was issued at the command of His Majesty the King and was undersigned by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The four-clause law puts the president of the EC in charge of ensuring adherence to the royal decree.

 

It requires the EC to formally announce the date of the election in the Royal Gazette within five days of the decree coming into force.  The election date must be no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days from the day the decree takes effect.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30362802

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-23

[GroveHillWanderer]

I'm not sure I understand - if an election on February 24 would clash with preparations for the coronation in May then how will an election on March 24 not do the same thing, if not more so?

[Oziex1]

1 minute ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

I'm not sure I understand - if an election on February 24 would clash with preparations for the coronation in May then how will an election on March 24 not do the same thing, if not more so?

You don't understand, Thai is different.

[tifino]

2 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

You don't understand, Thai is different.

 

more is less... less is more

 

 

more or less!

[steven100]

I feel there may be security concerns developing in March. Lets hope things pan out as required and expected.

[HalfLight]

8 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

I'm not sure I understand - if an election on February 24 would clash with preparations for the coronation in May then how will an election on March 24 not do the same thing, if not more so?

Yes, of course it does,

 

Which exposes the irrationality of postponing from the February date. Or it might explain the rationality. I very much doubt that Chanocha was willingly dragged to the new date.

[zydeco]

Passport needs renewal. Better get to the embassy and do it in February before SHTF

[HalfLight]

11 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I feel there may be security concerns developing in March. Lets hope things pan out as required and expected.

 

Another arms cache perhaps? Hidden underground in the middle of a rice paddy 3 kns from the nearest habitation. Stumbled upon by a group of soldiers and police (obviously) who were just passing and admiring the beauty of the nearby wildflowers. As ya do...

 

 

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by HalfLight

[MaxLee]

Spoiler Alert: "Juuuuust kidding alert" 

[Artisi]

Has any one opened the betting book on the new date and what are the current odds? 

[Hayduke]

 

Holding an election doesn't necessarily change anything. Even if the Junta flunkies screw things up and fail to fix the vote…it’s hard to believe the general is going to acknowledge any election results he doesn’t like. Even harder to believe that he plans on walking away from all that power, glory and money. Through trickery or at gunpoint, he still has the means to force himself on the country...and has clearly shown he doesn't mind doing just that.

 

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by Hayduke

[Chang_paarp]

27 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

I'm not sure I understand - if an election on February 24 would clash with preparations for the coronation in May then how will an election on March 24 not do the same thing, if not more so?

The final declaration of the results will clash with some of the associated ceremonies as they have to happen 60 days after the election. By moving the date to March they keep within the requirements of the constitution without upsetting the highest authority. This is why the courier with the royal decree made a wrong turn and delayed the decree or royal assent. 

 

Funnily the EC made a declaration so quickly. Even more strange they got the memo and gave the revised date the "government" wanted.

[Eric Loh]

38 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

I'm not sure I understand - if an election on February 24 would clash with preparations for the coronation in May then how will an election on March 24 not do the same thing, if not more so?

If election is held on 24 Feb, the election results need to be official in 60 days by April and Prayut will be upstaged by an elected PM at the coronation. The March 24 date will be just perfect for Khun Narcissist to have the spot at the coronation. It's all about him. 

[hansnl]

40 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

Holding an election doesn't necessarily change anything. Even if the Junta flunkies screw things up and fail to fix the vote…it’s hard to believe the general is going to acknowledge any election results he doesn’t like. Even harder to believe that he plans on walking away from all that power, glory and money. Through trickery or at gunpoint, he still has the means to force himself on the country...and has clearly shown he doesn't mind doing just that.

 

 

Of course another Shin led government would be so much better and of course that government would abhor power, glory and money while never threatening redshirt opponents or using firearms and grenades and burning buildings.

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by hansnl

[SuperTed]

All good news, forward Thailand.

[fforest1]

 

[Eligius]

Two months is a long, long time in Thai 'politics'. Anything can happen. One or two very SAD or SERIOUS events could easily intervene. Be prepared for ANYTHING to cause extended delay!

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by Eligius

[HalfLight]

49 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

Holding an election doesn't necessarily change anything. Even if the Junta flunkies screw things up and fail to fix the vote…it’s hard to believe the general is going to acknowledge any election results he doesn’t like. Even harder to believe that he plans on walking away from all that power, glory and money. Through trickery or at gunpoint, he still has the means to force himself on the country...and has clearly shown he doesn't mind doing just that.

 

 

 

You're right of course, though the international community - house of horrors though it is - would be hard pressed to ignore anything too obvious. What a pickle eh?

[Artisi]

And what percentage of Thai's really give a rat's-arse about the whole deal, a very small percentage I would guess? 

[DrTuner]

Ok, and I guess once the result get's 44'd, next one will be in 2029?

[White Christmas13]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

If election is held on 24 Feb, the election results need to be official in 60 days by April and Prayut will be upstaged by an elected PM at the coronation. The March 24 date will be just perfect for Khun Narcissist to have the spot at the coronation. It's all about him. 

But the new date will clash with Songkran

[kannot]

1 hour ago, Oziex1 said:

You don't understand, Thai is different.

yeah they cant <deleted>  count

[dcnx]

What amazes me is that western media keeps falling for this nonsense.

[humbug]

1 hour ago, hansnl said:

Of course another Shin led government would be so much better and of course that government would abhor power, glory and money while never threatening redshirt opponents or using firearms and grenades and burning buildings.

 

just think how many hours/days, hundreds of posts spent typing yellow shirt propaganda, trying to turn the minds of thousands of passive users of this site into junta luvies; When now everyone can see clearly. What a waste of your life, bravo 

[wgdanson]

31 minutes ago, White Christmas13 said:

But the new date will clash with Songkran

Songkran is in APRIL.

[bannork]

Seripisut Temiyawate, retired Police Commissioner and leader of his own party Seri Ruam Thai, has filed a complaint with police accusing the Palang Pracharat party of human trafficking by purchasing former MPs from other parties.

55555

Edited January 23, 2019 by bannork

[baansgr]

Considering on average the past hundred years Thailand has had a coup every 3.5 years, I wouldnt hold out much hope the the result

[webfact]

Elections are finally here – on March 24

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

 

Election Commissioner Ittiporn Boonpracong is surrounded by reporters yesterday after announcing March 24 as the date for the general election.

 

EC picks ‘most appropriate’ date; no word on results before May 9.
 

THE ELECTION Commission (EC) yesterday finally announced that the long-awaited election will be held on March 24, but did not indicate if the official results will be declared before May 9, raising doubts of legal compliance with the timeframe set by the Constitution. 

 

Hours after the Royal Decree on the general election was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, chief Election Commissioner Ittiporn Boonpracong called a meeting to decide on the polling date, even though by law the EC has five days to make the decision. 

 

 

The election date has been a much-discussed topic since the junta-backed government handed the “hot potato” to the EC. Now, it is the EC’s responsibility to ensure the polls do not overlap with the coronation of the monarch, which will be held from May 4 to 6, and the many ceremonies before and after the event. However, most commissioners decided on March 24 as the date, as they had taken into account other poll-related activities, Ittiporn said.

 

“This is the most appropriate date because it allows us to carry out all the activities in time,” Ittiporn said. “These activities include the MP application, voting from abroad, as well as the electoral campaign.”

 

The commission considered other date options, including March 10 that had been floated earlier, but concluded that it would leave them with too little time for pre-election procedures, he said. 

 

 

Allowing 52 days for parties to carry out their electoral campaigns was one factor that they had taken into consideration. They finally decided on March 24 as the best option, Ittiporn said.

 

Debate continued, however, over whether the election results should be finalised by May 9 – the final day of the 150-day timeframe set by the Constitution after the MP election law comes into effect.

 

Ittiporn declined to confirm whether the commission could be able to complete the whole process and avoid the risk of unconstitutional polling, which could lead to an annulment of the election. 

 

At the moment, the EC would focus on pre-election activities, Ittiporn said. The agency would discuss these issues later, including whether to submit the matter for an opinion from the Constitutional Court, he added. After the Royal Decree yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement asking people to help keep peace and order throughout the election process as well as the coronation ceremony and avoid any conflict that would lead to a political crisis as in the past.

 

The government, which took power after the 2014 coup, also encouraged voters to exercise their rights. Junta leader and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday tweeted in his personal account: “The Royal Decree is already published. I ask that everyone respect and go toward the #election2019 with peace, for peace in the country.”

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday said that though the Royal Decree had already been issued, the government maintained its full authority.

 

Unlike previous charters that allowed only an acting government to run the country before the election, this Constitution allowed the current government full authority until the next government takes office, Wissanu said. But the government will exercise its power in an appropriate manner, he said. 

 

Wissanu, who is in charge of the government’s legal affairs, also said that the electoral campaign could be kicked off now that the Royal Decree had already taken effect. 

 

He warned parties and politicians to be cautious about their budget as well as the campaign. They would be watched closely by the EC, he added. 

 

Four ministers stay on

 

In a related development, the four ministers who had joined the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat remained in office even though the Royal Decree had been issued.

 

 

PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool, who is one of the four members of the party, said yesterday that they had already discussed the matter. But he refused to say when they would give up their posts, which has exposed them to criticism as they could abuse their power to gain advantage over others contesting the elections.

 

Meanwhile, anti-election groups turned up yesterday outside the EC’s office and voiced their opposition to the announcement of the polling date. They said the election should be delayed until the coronation ceremony was over.

 

However, the Association of Thai Securities Companies chairperson Pattera Dilokrungthirapop said that the announcement is a clear signal and would have a positive impact on Thailand’s capital markets and lure more foreign investment. It will also boost the confidence of local investors.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30362831

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-24

[ukrules]

This is much better than the end of February for reasons of tourism.

 

I may have to adjust my thoughts as to when the mass riots and potential civil war begins.