Poll delay likely after panel tweaks bill

The general election could be delayed to February 2019 now that the panel vetting the organic law on the election of MPs has changed its effective date.

The change appears to dash the hopes of many who took Prime Minister Pyrayut Chan-o-cha at his word when he pledged that an election would be held by November this year.

The National Legislative Assembly panel voted to change Section 2 of the bill to set its effective date 90 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette from “immediately” in the earlier version, spokesman Taweesak Suthakavatin said on Friday

“We’ve taken everything into consideration and we haven’t received an 'order' from anyone," he added.

The main reason for the change is Order No.53/2560 of the National Council for Peace and Order, allowing political parties to start their registration and administrative activities in March this year, he said.

“We agree the bill should be changed to be in keeping with the order. In any case, it is up to the NLA to approve it.”

Asked whether the change would delay the polls, Mr Taweesak said it was possible. “Personally, I believe it could take place late this year or early next year.”

He insisted the panel considered the change based on legal issues, not political or security reasons.

Some political parties believe that supporters of the current military junta are attempting to buy more time to organise a new political party that will ultimately back Gen Prayut as the next prime minister.

On Wednesday, Isra News Agency reported the panel had a “secret meeting” to move forward the effective date of the bill.

Under the constitution, the NLA must pass four organic bills, including the one on MP elections, within 60 days after constitution writers finish drafting them, or by the end of this month.

If the drafters, the NLA and parties related to the bills disagree on certain points, they are given another month to reconcile their differences and the NLA will then pass them. Once the laws take effect, the election must be completed within 150 days.

However, a law can be passed but the effective date specified in it need not be the same day for various reasons, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed on Thursday.

If the effective date of the MP election bill is delayed, the polls could be put off unless all sides agree to take fewer than 150 days to prepare for voting.

The NLA’s move is widely viewed as an attempt to delay the election beyond the November schedule to help a new party set up to support the junta get ready, an accusation it denied.