Prawit won’t confirm election date
Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan on Tuesday refused to confirm the election date despite the fact that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has informed US President Donald Trump that he would announce the election date next year.
Prawit, who chaired the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, said the election date depended on the completion of the four organic laws necessary for it to be held.
Two of these laws have been promulgated – the Election Commission and the political parties laws – while the other two, concerning senators and the election of MPs, are still going through the drafting and deliberation process.
Once this is completed, there would be another 150 days for preparation by the Election Commission before the election could take place, Prawit said.
Asked whether the election would take place immediately after the designated 150 election-preparation days, Prawit just said it would follow the road map, which meant is would happen after the completion of the organic laws, after which political parties would be allowed to conduct political activities.
