Politicians have slammed the National Legislative Assembly for passing a bill that effectively delays the general election by 90 days.
The NLA voted 196-12 with 14 abstentions on Thursday to approve the section of the MP election organic bill which sets its effective date 90 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette. The result is the general election can only be held 150 days after it takes effect, or by the end of February at the latest.
If there had been no such delay stipulated in the bill, the polls would have been held in November this year.
Although Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said earlier on Thursday the February timetable was not set in stone as the election could take place anywhere in the 150-day period if all sides were ready, politicians remained unconvinced.
Chusak Sirinil, chief legal adviser of Pheu Thai party, said the move came as no surprise.
“[The NLA] is an organ of the same body. We should be thankful they did not choose 150 days, three years or five years. The move shows they do not care what people or political parties think.
“The extension aims to extend their power as long as possible so they can continue receiving salaries as long as possible. The 90-day delay does existing parties no good since we can’t resume political activities. It only benefits new parties and it's tantamount to ‘laws corruption’,” he said.
Watana Muangsook, a Pheu Thai core member, said by now there was no guarantee the polls would take place in 2019 since “there is no honour among the NCPO”.
If the law is enforced by the letter, the election won’t be delayed, he continued.
“The excuse that the delay will give parties more time to prepare themselves is nonsense. These people answer only to those who appointed them. Never mind they are hired by taxpayers money.
“The No.53/2560 NCPO order says the ban on political activities can’t be lifted for fear of unrest even though pre-election activities had nothing to do with conflicts.”
Varavut Silpa-archa, leader of the “New Blood” faction of Chartthaipattana party, said he wished NLA members would stop using their old tactic of mudslinging against politicians.
“The fact that they endorsed certain rules shows they lack political understanding and experiences,” he said.
He was referring to the sections allowing parties to hold shows, concerts or other forms of entertainment as part of their campaigns and penalising voters who do not cast the ballots.
The son of the late former prime minister Banharn declined to comment on the extension but said parties had to be prepared because their lack of readiness can be used as an excuse for further election delays.
Siripong Aungkasakulkiat of the same party added this was the fourth time the NCPO had delayed the polls over the past four years.
“I hope yesterday [Jan 25] was the last. I believe people would like to see the NLA perform its duties with good governance rather than creating a ‘miracle of law’.”
Nipit Intarasombat said the election would definitely be delayed from November this year but is not sure by how long.
“The writing is on the wall -- the desire to remain in power as long as possible using legal machinations. The Democrats can’t do anything but we do feel sorry for the country and the people who have been struggling to survive while waiting for democracy to be restored.
“NCPO supporters may feel nothing as most of them are government officials with fixed salaries. They have nothing to lose if the status quo prolongs.
“Personally, I think the NCPO should stay on to its heart’s content because ultimately the NCPO and military supporters will learn their lesson when they eventually lose their grip,” he said.