Thailand’s Election Commission announced on 23 January that the country’s much delayed general election to restore a civilian government will be held on 24 March.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Source: straitstimes.com)

This will be the first general election in the country after the military coup in 2014.

In December last year, the Election Commission said the general election would be organised on 24 February, but the military government expressed concern that election-related events would affect the early preparation for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, which is slated for 4 - 6 May.

According to the plan announced by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreagram in November 2018, the election was previously scheduled to take place on 24 February, 2019 with 350 constituencies, while its results were to be made public two months later. On 27 April, a list of 250 elected parliament members will be submitted to the royal family for approval. On  8 May, the new parliament will begin operation and select its Speakers of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the new PM.

After the 2014 coup, the National Council for Peace and Order of Thailand has attempted to decide a date for the general election multiple times, but it has been continuously delayed for reasons related to the Constitution and legislation issues.

In December 2018, the military government of Thailand lifted a ban on political activities to allow parties to carry out election campaigns.

(Source: VNA)