Prayut orders 'reset' of parties

Prayut orders 'reset' of parties

Move fuels suspicion of new military order

A Section 44 order to "reset" the status of political parties' members has been issued by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha with members of existing parties being given the freedom to switch to other parties.

The move has fuelled growing suspicion that the regime is paving the way for a military-backed political party expected to be established to draw members of existing parties to back it and support Gen Prayut and the regime staying in power after an election.

The Section 44 order was published in the Royal Gazette last night with immediate effect. Section 44 of the previous 2017 interim charter has been carried over into the new constitution.

Among the highlights of the order is that members of existing parties who want to retain member status must submit letters confirming their membership to party leaders, and provide proof that they are qualified to be party members as required by the new charter, as well as pay membership fees.

All this must be completed by April 1 next year.

If they miss the April 1 deadline, their membership will be terminated and parties must inform the secretary-general of the Election Commission, which serves as the registrar of political parties, within 30 days of the deadline being missed, according to the order.

The order also extends certain deadlines for political parties to complete processes required by the organic law governing political parties, which took effect on Oct 8.

Instead of within 180 days from Oct 8 as originally stipulated by the organic law, the fresh order stipulates that within 180 days from April 1, parties must have at least 500 members, finish collecting membership fees from them, and register seed funds of no less than 1 million baht.

Parties are required to elect party leaders and executives, write a party manifesto and regulations, and set up provincial branches within 90 days of the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) ban on political activities being lifted.

Originally, all this had to be done within 180 days of the organic law on political parties coming into effect on Oct 8.

The NCPO insisted that the ban on political activities will remain due to security concerns despite allowing some extra time for political parties to perform necessary activities.

Former Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong warned earlier that the government would resort to the special powers to reset membership of all parties.

When former MPs free themselves from parties, they would be roped in to join the military-backed party, he said.

Ongart Klampaiboon, deputy leader of the 71-year-old Democrat Party, acknowledged the NCPO's announcement will make it easier for new political parties to gain members and political support.

"This is like resetting political party membership. What we have done all along, we campaigned for party members. Now they have to reapply. We don't know if they will come or not as the conditions for membership have changed," he said.

"The party has no choice but to follow the law. But I feel this is unfair to political parties that have already campaigned and gained members."

Somkid Chueakhong, a former Pheu Thai Party member, raised suspicions over the use of Section 44, saying that the reset of party membership corresponds to a report that a new party will be formed to support those in power and approach former MPs to join it.

Prior to the Section 44 announcement, Gen Prayut, also the chief of the NCPO, revealed yesterday that he signed the order under the previous interim constitution.

"When problems arise, I have to solve it my own way," Gen Prayut said.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday said the order will cover the partial relaxation of the NCPO's ban on political parties, which will be carried out in four stages.

The first stage starts from the day when the order has been issued to March 1 next year.

During stage 2 from March 1 to April 1, emerging parties will be allowed to reserve party names, recruit 500 members, and hold meetings to set up parties before applying for registration with the Election Commission, Mr Wissanu said.

In stage 3 from April 1 onward, existing parties can proceed with activities as stipulated by the organic law on political parties, but they will still be not permitted to hold general assemblies, he said.

In stage 4, all NCPO orders which obstruct processes to hold a general election will be lifted, Mr Wissanu said.

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