Thai King Signs Decree Ordering First Parliamentary Elections Since 2011

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has signed a decree ordering that the first parliamentary elections since 2011 be organized

BANGKOK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2019) Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has signed a decree ordering that the first parliamentary elections since 2011 be organized.

The decree was released on Wednesday in the Thai Royal Government Gazette, a governmental outlet where decrees and laws are published. It came into force immediately after publication.

Under the decree, the national electoral commission must set the date of the vote within the next five days. This date should be no earlier than 45 days and no later than 60 days after the decree's publication. Moreover, the elections must be held in compliance with the Thai constitution that was adopted in a national referendum in 2017.

The Thai prime minister and the head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), a military junta that has been ruling the country since 2014, have signed the decree as well.

The NCPO took control over the country after a coup in May 2014, forcing out the government that was elected in 2011. Since then, an interim parliament, comprised of lawmakers designated by the NCPO, has been operating in the country along with a NCPO-controlled cabinet. Political activity of any kind has been banned until the government started gradually lifting the ban in 2017 in a bid to suppress growing opposition and criticism. Last December, the NCPO lifted restrictions on public gatherings and political activities so that political parties could carry out election campaigns.

Initially, the parliamentary elections were expected to take place no later than February 24.