NLA votes on bill that will delay election to February

NLA votes on bill that will delay election to February

The National Legislative Assembly debates the MP election bill before voting 196-12 to pass it on Thursday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
The National Legislative Assembly debates the MP election bill before voting 196-12 to pass it on Thursday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

The National Legislative Assembly has passed a bill that will likely delay the general election by 90 days, or February next year.

They voted 196-12 with 14 abstentions to pass the organic bill on MP elections, which contains a clause delaying its effective date by 90 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette. According to the roadmap, the polls can be held within 150 days after that.  

Earlier, several NLA members debated on the extension.

Vitthaya Piewpong, chairman of the NLA panel considering the bill, said the delay was necessary so people and parties had time to study the new law. "Some 1.5 million election officials can also familiarise themselves with it. In the past, several laws had the effective dates set in the future so this is not unprecedented."

Prapan Naiyakowit, a minority panel member, saw no need to delay the effect of the bill. "By doing so, the majority members changed the principle set forth by constitutional writers, which laid down a clear framework."

Taweesak Suthakavatin, a panel member who advocated a 120-day extension, said the delay by 90 days might not be enough for parties to prepare themselves. "The 53/2560 NCPO order moves forward the resumption of political activities by six months. Parties have a lot to do -- from reviewing memberships to holding primary votes while election officials have to experiment new things such as electronic voting.

"If we extend the date by 90 days under pressure, the election could face problems and 120 days are more appropriate," he said.

Somchai Sawangkarn said he favoured 180 days given the steps to be taken. "Parties should have the courage to admit they don't want primary votes and stop accusing us of extending it for our own interests.

Nat Laosrisavakul, a panel member from the EC, said: "Extending the effective date by 90 days doesn't mean the election date will be delayed by the same extent. The EC is the one who sets the election date. It will be known by June when the election is held.

"The election date could be set on the 70th of the 150 days. Ninety days should be enough," he added.

Some NLA members disagreed with the extensions of 90 or 120 days for unconventional reasons.

Pol Lt Col Pongchai Varachit said: "Had it not been for May 22, 2014, we wouldn't have the Thailand we have today. There would be arsons everywhere, the country would be separated, numerous war weapons would be seized, and there would be no development. What have politicians done for this country and the people?

"The extension of the effective date of the bill is a trifling issue, yet it is turned into a big deal. I'd like to propose the law take effect 60 months or five years after it is proclaimed in the Royal Gazette, to be in keeping with the 20-year national strategy," he said.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)