Thailand to hold first general election since March 24 coup

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Thailand will hold a general election to restore civilian rule on March 24, the country's election commission said on Wednesday, in an announcement for a new date for the repeatedly postponed vote, which will be the first since a 2014 military coup.

If the election is held on March 24, the opening of a new parliament by the monarch will likely follow the coronation ceremonies, given the possibility that it might take the Election Commission more than 30 days to finish counting the votes before announcing the official results, according to the deputy prime minister.

"March 24 will be the election day," an Election Commission official told reporters, hours after the publication of a decree signed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn which empowered the EC to give a date.

The commission said in December the elections would be held on February 24, but the military government had expressed concern that election-related events would clash with early preparations for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, scheduled for May 4-6.

The poll date is set to ignite a campaign season in a country where colorful and boisterous political rallies have often tipped into deadly violence.

Pro-democracy activists set up balloons with a cartoon depicting Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha during a demonstration against military's in Bangkok, Thailand May 5, 2018. /VCG Photo

The office of Prayut, who is also prime minister, called for an "environment of orderliness, civility and unity" -- although violence is unlikely among a public tired of political conflict.

An array of new parties -- including some aligned to the military, others to the still powerful Shinawatra clan -- have already begun meetings and recruitment as a blizzard of names are tossed up as likely future prime ministers. Those include Prayut himself, who has spent months touring the country as to rebrand himself from a gruff man-in-Khaki to an avuncular civilian leader with a common touch.

Last month, the military government lifted a ban on political activities to allow parties to campaign.

Thailand last held a successful election in 2011.

(Cover: A pro-democracy activists displays a placard with a cartoon depicting Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha during a demonstration against military's in Bangkok, Thailand May 5, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters