The next general election is to be scheduled sometime between Feb 24 and May 5 with the ban on political activities to be partially lifted, most probably beginning from next month to lay the essential groundwork for the poll, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Mr Wissanu, however, said after meeting the Election Commission Monday that there was no reason as of now to hold the election later than Feb 24, the poll date which the EC predicted earlier.
The deputy prime minister said he and the five newly appointed election commissioners discussed almost a dozen poll-related issues. He also announced a series of timelines leading up to the election period.
They agreed at least three areas of crucial groundwork for the election will be dealt with first. They will be carried out during the 90-day window -- from the day the organic law on election of MPs is royally endorsed to the day when the law takes effect.
According to Mr Wissanu, the period is expected to commence in the middle of next month, which would then expire in the middle of December, at which point another period lasting up to 150 days for the actual organising of the election will take place.
The election date will fall within the 150-day period.
As of now, the Feb 24 poll date stands. But if a delay is in order, it must be explained, Mr Wissanu said.
The deputy premier said, however, that the immediate priorities were to consider what political activities that are currently banned by the regime could be resumed during the 90-day period.
Monday's meeting decided the ban would be eased selectively. This is so existing political parties can convene their meetings to amend regulations in order to recruit new members and set up party branches; the constituencies can be redrawn; and the primary votes can get under way where members of political parties will choose their respective MP candidates.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, meanwhile, said he had little confidence the election would go ahead on Feb 24, mainly because of the frequent poll delays in the past.
However, his being uncertain also stemmed from the the NCPO chief's authority to invoke the powers of Section 44, which can be used to disrupt or short-circuit political processes that should be allowed to run their course.
Mr Abhisit said a further poll may be possible as the NCPO has switched from being a "referee" to a "player" in the political game and the regime might not think it is ready by February to compete in the election.
The Democrat leader was understood to be referring to reports of a political party having been established to be the regime's vehicle in seeking Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's return as prime minister after the next election.
Mr Abhisit said the constitution explicitly states that the EC is the final authority in fixing an election date. However, since the regime has Section 44 at its disposal, the EC's power could be irrelevant.
Mr Wissanu added that his meeting with the EC reached no conclusion on how the primaries are to be conducted. Political parties have complained the method of primaries stipulated in the organic law on political parties, which was designed by the National Legislative Assembly, is confusing, impractical and costly.
The deputy premier said the EC suggested other less tedious ways of arranging the primaries. But to do that, the National Council for Peace and Order must issue an order to either amend the organic law or override it and introduce the change with immediate effect.
Moving on to the 150-day period, Mr Wissanu said that even if the general election were to be confirmed by the EC on Feb 24, the political parties would have plenty of time to canvass for votes. In past elections, parties only had about 30 days to campaign.
The deputy prime minister said from the partial lifting of political activities ban during the 90-day window, the ban would be totally revoked during the 150-day period. He added the total cancellation is expected to come early on in the period.
Mr Wissanu admitted if the poll were to be deferred from Feb 24, it would be awkward having to find justification, given that the important groundwork for the election will have been over and done already during the 90-day period.
"There would need to be answers. The constituencies have been redrawn, the primaries are completed and the election campaign posters are about go up. What's the reason for yet another wait [for the election]?" he said.
- Earlier report: Wissanu says Feb 24 'at the earliest'
