Thai elections may be held by end of April next year, EC reckons

[webfact]

Elections may be held by end of April next year, EC reckons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's next general election could be held at the end of April next year, Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said yesterday.

He said if the National Reform Committee approved the new charter draft, tentatively scheduled for November, it would take three months to complete a public referendum on it.

If the charter were accepted by the public, it would be forwarded for Royal endorsement.

The Election Commission then has to prepare an organic law on the election of MPs and senators, which would take two months.

Somchai said there would have to be a gap of two to three month between the more complicated process of electing senators and the general election.

"It is possible that the election of MPs will be held at the end of April and then a senatorial election held two or three months later,'' he said.

He voiced concern that the elections under the management of a new election body, with permanent officials as its members, may face political interference.

He said the Election Commission would meet today to discuss organising election simulations so the public understands the new election system.

Most people surveyed by the Political Development Council want the prime minister to be directly elected, the council's president, Theerapat Serirangsan, said.

The survey was conducted from March 1-25 on 1,478 respondents from 55 provinces.

Seventy per cent of respondents believe a PM must be directly elected by the people to bring about sustainable democracy, while 11 per cent believe that can be achieved via a PM elected by MPs and senators.

Another 7.8 per cent and 7.5 per cent said that could be achieved through a PM elected by MPs and suitable people respectively.

Asked what is their most preferred election system, 37 per cent said a mix between constituency MPs and party-list MPs, 26 per cent said Germany's mixed-party-list system, and 26 per cent preferred the constituency system.

Fifty-five per cent of respondents want senators directly elected by voters, 24 per cent want a mix of appointed and elected senators and 14 per cent would prefer to see senators elected in accordance with their professions.

Sixty-one per cent want a clear separation of power between the government and Parliament, meaning MPs and senators could nor hold ministerial posts.

Most want a government to serve a four-year term and no more than two consecutive terms, with the PM stepping down after two terms.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Elections-may-be-held-by-end-of-April-next-year-EC-30258141.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-17

[jamesjohnsonthird]

So Somchai says:....... there could be elections next year but...., may be, tentatively, if approved, if accepted, has to prepare, would be a gap, reckons, complicated, it is possible, voiced concern, may face interference,.....

In other words...elections will be put off indefinitely.

[zydeco]

Hope they hold elections before the entire country is given away to the Russians and the Chinese.

[NongKhaiKid]

The EC can reckon all they want as the decision on elections is down to one man only.

All these little hints, if designed to keep the public going with hope, will backfire big time when the hints don't come to fruition and patience wears thin.

It's pointless to suggest that Thai officials think before they speak, it would mean changing the habit of many lifetimes.

[Nbarch]

“If the charter were accepted by the public, it would be forwarded for Royal endorsement”

This is the important phrase to the Thai people; accept the Charter as it is now; with no amendments or discussions. Period.

>

Sadly, therefore the discontent will continue to bubble under the surface with the inevitable result in the future.

[baboon]

Ho hum. Tomorrow's headline will no doubt read: '2016 election 'unlikely,' according to...'

[jamesjohnsonthird]

Ho hum. Tomorrow's headline will no doubt read: '2016 election 'unlikely,' according to...'

A retired reuters journalist that left Thailand to write his book predicts a war with Cambodia will set back elections.

Probably a skirmish at the disputed temple will set it off.

[Anthony5]

He said if the National Reform Committee approved the new charter draft, tentatively scheduled for November, it would take three months to complete a public referendum on it.

If the charter were accepted by the public, it would be forwarded for Royal endorsement.

Wasn't there a news article a few months ago where the PM determined the exact date the charter draft would be forwarded for Royal endorsement, and that no words were mentioned about a referendum?

Moreover, I think the PM has voiced several times already that he considers a referendum unnecessary.

[Thailand]

So I guess next months announcement will be that the "elections" will be held in June 2016 and then the next monthly announcement after will be 2 months after that ad infinitum.

However,It will be interesting to see how the charter is actually finely tuned to ensure that the required result is achieved should the "elections" actually take place.

[city]

Article 44 in place. Officers in charge infiltrate the nations places of work and rest, then and announcement will be made. Thais will be scared witless to pass comment other than those expected. Elections postponed indefinately.

In the interest of national security, I better stay on a bit longer and its not appropriate to be entering that ASEAN thingy at this time. Sutheps good men.

[Srikcir]

The only thing one can be sure of is that anything the Prayut regime says will change. The only consistentcy the regime has had is the desire to hold into power under Article 44 and/or its surrogates in the draft charter for as long as possible. The military has unfettered access to the nation's treasury and, regardless of the collapsing Thai economy. It wants its payday for the coup: money and advanced military weapons.