General election in Thailand will not be held until 2016, according to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on November 27.

He told the press that the election, which was previously planned for 2015, will likely be organised around the start of 2016, once the constitution is drafted.

Prawit said one reason for the delay is the existence of elements that are opposed to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Previously, Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha once hinted at a possibility of holding up polls promised.

Earlier this month, Thailand completed the formation of the 36-member Charter Draft Committee after nearly six months since the army seized the power.

The panel must propose a constitution draft within four months before sending it to the National Reform Council and the junta, formally known as the NCPO, for approval.

Once approved, the charter will be Thailand's 20th since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.-VNA