Parties face six steps to comply for new poll

THE Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has proposed a six-step legislative process that political parties have to complete within six months in preparation for the next general election, which is expected to be held late next year.
Meanwhile, the latest Suan Dusit poll, conducted from last Monday to Saturday, concluded that the Prayut government had excessively restricted people’s rights and freedoms, resulting in less public support. 
A majority of nearly 62 per cent of respondents agreed that their rights and freedoms had been curbed by the government, while 70 per cent suggested that the government should listen to people’s opinions and explain its rationale in a more transparent manner.
In regard to the proposed political party legislation, Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the CDC, said the new organic law should create equality for new and pre-existing political parties during an interim period when parties that existed before the proposed legislation will have to meet six preconditions to qualify to field candidates in the next election.
The new political party bill will be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) tomorrow, Meechai said, adding that parties that fail to meet the preconditions would be barred from fielding candidates, while newly-established parties would not be subject to the preconditions.
To qualify to field candidates, executive members and other members of existing political parties have to report to the Election Commission (EC).
Second, political parties have to update the number of their members within 90 days after the new law goes into effect.
Third, political parties that do not have a minimum membership of 500 people have to meet the requirements within 180 days.
Fourth, political parties will have to submit financial reports to the EC and/or solicit minimum funding of Bt1 million within 180 days.
Fifth, a minimum of 500 members must pay the party’s annual fee of at least Bt50 per person within 180 days and receipts must be shown to the EC within the next 15 days. Within the next year, each party has to collect annual membership fees from a minimum of 5,000 members.
Sixth, political parties must hold a general assembly to amend their charters and regulations in compliance with the political party law, covering political objectives and the process to elect party leaders and executive committees as well as the heads of party branches.
Parties must have a minimum of four branches whose heads must be elected by provincial representatives. At least three provincial branch representatives must vote to elect the party’s leaders and executive members.
New political parties must open at least one branch in each of the country’s regions and elect provincial branch representatives within 180 days. Parties may apply for an extension of the deadline but preconditions must be all met within three years.
If the EC does not extend the deadline, parties may petition the Constitution Court. However, parties will be disbanded if they cannot comply with the new law.
And parties that have not fully complied with the new law will not get financial assistance from a public fund for political development. 
The proposed law requires new parties to set up a candidate selection committee consisting of four party executives and seven provincial branch representatives.
However, former politicians penalised under the previous BE 2550 political party law will still face penalties, including those already disqualified from contesting general elections or holding public office.
Meanwhile, Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, an EC member, said the agency would not make further efforts to lobby for the role of provincial EC officials, as the NLA would have to evaluate the pros and cons of the EC proposal.