The Election Commission (EC) said Tuesday it would help parties ask the regime to relax a long-held ban on political activities as politicians are busy reviving their parties, which have been "frozen" since the 2014 coup.
Speaking before planned talks between EC members and representatives of political parties today, acting EC secretary-general Charungwit Phumma said the body plans to clarify new party administration rules to representatives of old parties.
He also said he was ready to hear when and how they want the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to allow them to run their parties at full steam in the run-up to next year's poll.
"We want to hear what [political] restrictions they want the NCPO to relax," he said Tuesday.
The NCPO has only approved 69 parties so far, all of which were established before the 2016 charter. They have been allowed to register with the election watchdog, update their party member databases and manage their money, including membership fees.
Acting as a go-between for the political parties and the military regime, Pol Col Charungwit said the EC would "forward all their questions to the NCPO for consideration".
Without approval from the NCPO to allow politicians to hold party meetings, they are barred from conducting a range of activities, ranging from drafting party ideology and policies to selecting a party secretary-general or treasurer, EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said.
Meanwhile, politicians also have to make sure they are following the correct steps regarding party registration.
The registration process for pre-existing parties is scheduled to start on Sunday. The government has given them a 30-day window to the get the job done.
The EC said it would engage in talks today with representatives of up to 55 political parties, including heavyweights like the Democrats and Pheu Thai.
A requirement that party members confirm their membership would be on the agenda, he said.
According to an order issued by the NCPO in December, party members must send a letter of confirmation and present evidence showing they are qualified to be affiliated with their party of choice. They must also pay membership fees.
They can choose to pay 2,000 baht for a lifetime membership or 100 baht for a year.
Politicians, or anyone who fails to send the letter within the stated period, will lose their status.
This regulation alone has caused much confusion, former EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said.
He said there seem to be three requirements -- confirmation, evidence and fee payment -- but he admitted he was struggling to grasp how the election watchdog would deprive them of their membership status.
The final part of the order confirms they will lose their status if they fail to send the letter.
"If they confirm that want to stay with their party but don't present any evidence or pay the fee, will they get to keep their membership?" Mr Somchai asked.
The EC must clarify this matter to avoid any confusion, he said.
One thing that has been clarified is that party members can make the confirmation and present their evidence vie email, Mr Supachai said.