The regime has promised it has no plan to set up a political party to contest the election despite the overwhelming support of the military-sponsored draft charter in Sunday's referendum.
But the current political roadmap which will lead to a general election next year is still intact, according to the regime.
The result of the referendum has shown the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has worked in sync with the public need, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said.
He said the regime has no intention of forming a party or standing in the election despite winning public popularity.
"I do not want to say this is a triumph for the NCPO. That is not relevant. It shows the people's opinion as a whole. People may see the country is at peace now and they can live normally," said Gen Prawit, also the NCPO deputy chief.
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Based on public support of the extra question related to the Senate's power to help select a prime minister, Gen Prawit said this does not mean people want to see an outsider become the prime minister.
They only want to see a change in how the parliament works and this is a good thing, he said.
He said the political parties would be permitted to organise their meetings soon and they should not be worried about it.
Responding to criticism that the regime's restrictions on freedom of expression led to the "yes" vote result, the deputy premier said if the NCPO had failed to produce good work, the public would not have backed the charter.
The result means people are satisfied with the NCPO's work, he noted.
The result, he said, does not mean people are siding more with the military than politicians. "At the end of the day, politicians will still exist under the constitution. The charter was not drafted to allow the military to rule," said Gen Prawit.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam insisted Monday the election will be held next year in line with the regime's roadmap.
He said efforts must be made to ensure the process before the election will not drag beyond next year.
"I do not see any problem with saying the election will be held next year," Mr Wissanu said. "The prime minister has said he would not prolong his power and the poll will be organised next year."
Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Meechai Ruchupan said after the Election Commission announces the result of the referendum, his panel will be asked to amend the transitional provisions in the draft charter within 30 days by incorporating the clause to allow the Senate to help vote for a prime minister.
However, there is still no indication as to what would happen if the joint Senate-MP votes still fail to come up with a new premier, he said. The CDC would draft elements for this move and would let the Constitutional Court interpret them.
Mr Meechai insisted the charter will not be amended to allow senators to nominate a name for the prime minister.
He noted the 250 senators appointed by the NCPO would be allowed to jointly vote for the premier any time within five years, in line with the the extra question.
"I want political parties to play a role in giving their opinions and suggestions. We have to rely on them as well to make sure the rules are practical," Mr Meechai said.
Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said the EC is likely to conclude the referendum result tomorrow and it will be sent to the prime minister to be announced.
After the 30 days set for incorporating the element in the extra question into the draft charter, the draft will be sent to the Constitutional Court for deliberation, which must be done within 30 days, Mr Somchai said.
If more amendments are needed, the CDC would have 15 days to make them before sending the draft to the prime minister, who has to forward it to the King for endorsement.
After the new charter is enforced, the CDC would have to draft four organic laws concerning the EC, political parties, MP elections and the formation of the senate. The laws will be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for deliberation.
After the four organic laws are enforced, the EC is required to hold the election within 150 days.
EC deputy secretary-general Thanit Sripratet said his agency has helped draft the four laws and they are nearly complete. They are likely to be sent to the CDC late this month.
NLA vice president Surachai Liangboonlertchai said after the new charter is put into force, laws governing reforms must be drawn up within 120 days.
Within one year, efforts to proceed with reforms must be started and they must take shape within five years, Mr Surachai added.
The drafting of the national strategic plan must kick off within 120 days and the work must be completed in one year.
