Regime denies rumours of poll delay

Regime denies rumours of poll delay

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tries his hand at rice preparation during a non-political trip to Lamphun on Wednesday, to promote domestic tourism. (Photo courtesy Government House)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tries his hand at rice preparation during a non-political trip to Lamphun on Wednesday, to promote domestic tourism. (Photo courtesy Government House)

The government on Wednesday denied rumours that the much anticipated general election will be postponed for another two months, from Feb 24 next year to April 28.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon insisted the election is to be held on Feb 24 as previously stated, adding reports of a delay have no substance.

"The majority of members of the public want an election. So, let those who think the election will be postponed do whatever they like. But [as for me], there is no reason to have the election deferred," he said.

Asked whether the election will be put on hold if new political turmoil erupts, Gen Prawit said he foresees no big problems other than some minor political conflicts. The rumor of a postponement resurfaced early this week.

On Tuesday, Tida Tawornseth, chief adviser to the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), raised doubts about whether the poll would be held in February as planned.

In a Facebook live broadcast, she said she was wondering why those four cabinet ministers who have joined the Palang Pracharath Party still insisted on holding their cabinet positions while at the same time working for the party.

She was referring to Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana who was voted as the leader at the party's general assembly, Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee as deputy leader, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong as secretary-general and Prime Minister's Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool as spokesman and party executive.

"The ministers said they still had unfinished work to get done. Does this actually mean the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) still won't allow the election?" she asked.

"Even these four ministers couldn't leave their jobs. So, what could the NCPO do? And there are only a few months left. Will that be sufficient for them to quit ther jobs?" she said.

The regime's power exceeds that of the constitution, not to mention that of the Election Commission, she said.

She added that since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has exercised his special power under Section 44 of the interim charter to sack an election commissioner, the same power could be used again to deal with just about everyone else.

She was referring to the dismissal of Somchai Srisutthiyakorn as an election commissioner in March.

At that time, Gen Prayut said the removal of Mr Somchai was justified because the election commissioner was causing public confusion by offering comments about the election date.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam responded to growing criticism over the cabinet ministers' refusal to resign while holding positions in Palang Pracharath.

Asked if the ministers could still travel along with Gen Prayut to a function upcountry during office hours, Mr Wissanu said they can as long as they don't exploit the function as an opportunity to campaign.

The reason is if they are not going, they may be considered failing to perform their duty as cabinet ministers, he said.

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