Thai election delayed as NLA approves law enforcement delay

Bangkok (VNA) – A general election in Thailand scheduled to take place in November will be delayed possibly until early 2019 after the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on January 25 passed an organic law on parliamentary elections with a delay of enforcement.

The NLA, which acts as the parliament in the military government, adopted the organic law with 196 votes favouring the law, while 12 members voted against and 14 abstained. The key point is the 90-day delay of enforcement, which will push back the election promised by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

According to the Constitution, the election must be held within 150 days of the organic laws entering enforcement.

With the last bill expected to pass by June, an election before the end of November would have required the laws to go into effect immediately or a day after publication in the Royal Gazette, as in previous practice. Adding the delay, however, means that the 150-day window would start in August or September and extend into early 2019.

The delay of enforcement follows the military government’s order in December, 2017 establishing periods for political parties to conduct administrative activities like member registration and the election of party executives. However, the junta has not yet allowed parties to hold meetings despite calls to lift a ban on political activities.

Last year, the PM said he would announce in June 2018 the date for the general election expected in November.-VNA