Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) of Thailand will allow local government elections, but Thai politicians running for office must observe certain conditions, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on November 13.
General Prawit, who is also Minister of National Defence, said the move will unlock political activities banned across the nation since a military coup in 2014. Local politicians will have to avoid conflict and targeting the NCPO during their campaigning to run for office.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has promised a general election in November 2018. Observers said local polls could be warm-up for the Election Commission’s preparations for a nationwide poll.
Previously on November 1, Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha said that his government will not lift a ban on political activity until calm and order are restored.
He made the statement in response to political parties, particularly the Pheu Thai Party, who urged the government to remove the ban so that they can prepare for elections scheduled for November 2018.
However, the PM said that the ban will be lifted to allow parties to resume activities in compliance with the constitution and election-related laws.
Prayuth, who also serves as Chairman of the NCPO, confirmed that he will consider lifting the ban after peace and order are fully restored. The Government will comply with the time frame of the elections.-VNA
VNA
