The regime's plan to hold a dialogue with political parties in the run-up to the general election remains intact but is unlikely to take place this month as originally scheduled, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Mr Wissanu said the pressing need for talks, which are hoped would help parties and related agencies prepare for the polls, has subsided although the government remains adamant they will happen.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier offered to meet representatives from parties to address election-related problems and said the meeting would go ahead this month.
However, the parties argued they were struggling to make preparations for the poll due to the regime's ongoing ban on political activities, with some politicians reportedly expressing a reluctance to engage in talks until the ban is lifted.
Mr Wissanu said the discussions would be open to all parties and could touch on issues such as the primary vote, which is being introduced for the first time under the new constitution, demarcation of constituencies, the lifting of the political ban and the holding of local elections.
The Election Commission (EC) said earlier that primaries can be held only after it finishes drawing electoral boundaries and the law regarding the election of MPs takes effect.
Political parties must organise primaries where members choose the candidates they want to stand in both constituency and party-list elections.
"The prime minister has proposed two meetings [with political parties to prepare for the election]. The first meeting would be preliminary and when the election time frame is clear, a second meeting can be called," Mr Wissanu said.
According to Mr Wissanu, the meeting was tentatively scheduled to take place this month, but it was put on hold after two organic bills on the election of MPs and selection of senators were forwarded to the Constitutional Court for review.
He said the organic bills, which were cleared by the court, had yet to be submitted for royal endorsement. The MP election bill would not take effect for 90 days after being published in the Royal Gazette and then an election would be held within 150 days of the bill's enactment.
"It's impossible to get into specifics. The best we can do is to make 'mini roadmaps'," he said.
Mr Wissanu said the government was likely to meet the EC, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Council of State in separate talks to discuss legal issues facing election preparations before the planned meeting with political parties.
"If a law [regarding poll preparations] is needed, the government will sponsor it. If a Section 44 order is required [to sort out poll glitches], the NCPO will see to it," he said.
EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma said the demarcation of constituencies would take about two months, but the process could be shortened by 10 days if administrative work begins early.
According to the EC, 20 provinces out of 76 will be re-demarcated due to changes in population numbers.
In a related development, Sira Pimklang, a red-shirt member in Sakon Nakhon, yesterday applied to register a political party called "Puen Thai" with the EC, making it the 107th party seeking registration.
Mr Sira said that he expected some 20-30 members from Pheu Thai Party to defect to this new outfit, as well as former deputy interior minister Boonchong Wongtrairat.