General Elections are expected to be held in Thailand between the 24th of February and the 9th of May this year, following the passing of a new electoral law in the country, which came into effect on the 10th of December 2018.
Following two protests in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, rumours that the military junta intends to push the elections back by one month have gotten stronger.
Thai citizens have waited with bated breath for an election, which will most likely bring an end to military rule in the country, since the junta’s hostile takeover in 2014.
The country’s electoral commission has not confirmed or announced the postponement, but two officials have noted that they are discussing pushing the date back due to the coronation of the King in May.
“The February 24 election cannot take place because the Election Commission doesn’t have enough time to organize it,” a senior commission official [told Reuters]. He continued: “There are now two possible dates … March 10 or March 24.”
Reportedly, the two largest political parties in Thailand have said they have no objections to the postponement.
According to Reuters, “Under the law, the Election Commission has to endorse winning members of parliament within 60 days of a vote, and parliament must convene within 15 days of the election results and the King will have to preside over the opening of parliament.Slideshow (2 Images) The government says these political events could clash with ceremonies for the coronation.”
The Thai monarchy is greatly revered in Thailand, and this year’s coronation will be the first for much of the population. This explains the importance of the ceremony and why its ceremonies must not clash with another important national exercise like the election.
Prior to this, the Thai junta made several promises to hold elections but has failed to, each time. It finally lifted the ban on conducting political activities in the country in January 2019, allowing for protesters to gather in Bangkok for the first time since 2014.
The protest was held in a bid to prevent the government from postponing the elections, a feat that appears to be an exercise in futility with the revelation from the two electoral body officials. Since the first protest, there have been several others held across the country advocating for the same thing.
