Paiboon to file proposal to suspend primary system
Former junta-appointed reformer Paiboon Nititawan plans to file a proposal to suspend the primary voting system stipulated in the Political Party Act, with the stated intention to “reduce the process for parties given the limited timetable”.
Political parties have been frozen since the 2014 coup following the junta’s ban against political assemblies of five or more people.
As a result, political parties have been unable to mobilise ahead of the election currently scheduled for November.
Paiboon planned to file a letter with junta head Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday to “maintain national peace and order” until the election and the Election Commission endorses its result.
Paiboon has been preparing to set up a party with the clear agenda to support Prayut as prime minister after the election.
He will also file another letter with Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, on Friday to seek a legal means to suspend the primary voting system.
The primary system, which would require all parties to internally elect their MP candidates in designated constituencies, has raised concerns among politicians that it could reduce the parties' power and empower backstage players supporting each candidate.