The election was tentatively scheduled for November this year.

“The assembly of citizens desiring to vote” will be held by the Democracy Restoration Group at 5.30pm at the skywalk over the Pathumwan intersection, central Bangkok, as a mark of defiance against the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

“If we let it [the delay of the election] happen without doing anything, the NCPO will, in future, find ways to postpone [the election] again and again,” the group wrote on its Facebook page yesterday.

The group said people who feel sick about the “indefinite” delay in the holding of the election were invited to join forces and voice their discontent so that the NCPO would realise people will not tolerate their use of power for their own interests.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) late on Thursday passed the MPs election bill with a clause that delays it coming into effect for 90 days after its promulgation.

Critics have slammed the move as indicative of the NCPO’s desire to cling on to power.

The government’s most senior figures – the prime minister and his first deputy – have sent conflicting signals as to when the next general election will be held.Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said during his trip to India yesterday that he acknowledged the possibility of an election delay following the passage of the revised MPs election bill. But he said the matter is not yet finalised and his government would stick to the road map to the coming election. “It’s still not finalised if the election will be postponed or not [from the tentative schedule]. I don’t know what will happen. This matter is about the legal mechanism,” the PM said.

Prayut said the situation was created by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which passed the law, and he could not over-ride its authority. However, his government has a road map and is following what has been announced, Prayut said, without elaborating on specifics.

Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that an election would definitely be held and added that there would be no further delay. He held out the possibility of the junta lifting the ban on political activities if the situation was calm and procedures were followed.

“It’s good [that the NLA has passed the bill] because people keep asking when the election will be held,” Prawit said.The NLA late on Thursday passed the MPs election bill with a clause that delays it coming into effect for 90 days after its promulgation.The lawmakers voted 213 to zero with four abstentions, after almost 14 hours of deliberations.

As a result, the next election, tentatively scheduled for November this year, could now be delayed until February next year.Prawit yesterday declined to comment on a remark that the passage of the bill would result in the road map being delayed, saying the NLA had decided on the matter and so no further questions were needed.

Prawit also said there was no need to explain the move to the international community, which has repeatedly shared its concerns over Thailand being governed by a junta-backed government since 2014.The international community wishes to see the election held, and it will be, said Prawit. It has just been delayed for three months, he said. It is clear that no further delay would take place, and the current delay still follows what was permitted under the charter. The deputy PM said he could see no reason to impact the election timing.If the situation is calm and procedures are followed, the junta would consider lifting the political ban, he added.

Prawit also rejected the notion that the junta had pressured the NLA to delay the election. The bill originated with and was passed by the NLA, which considered the amendment well into the night, he said.Following the passage of the MPs election law, Prayut said yesterday he was ready to abide by it as well follow other legal procedures. This, he said, did not mean he was sending a signal to anyone. Prayut vowed to perform his duty to the best of his abilities and any changes would follow procedures as required by law. He also urged that other people, as well as politicians, do their part to the best of their ability.

The prime minister said everyone wants to have the election, but he asked whether the country would find itself back in the same situation. To make the country stable, the premier urged people to think things through, look at every aspect, and come up with measures to deal with it. This is Thailand, he said, and people who are in the same democratic circle are all Thais.

The junta chief said if the election was delayed, nothing much would change as the government would follow its road map and the required procedures. The government has been pursuing three key steps, he said – fixing immediate problems, preparing the constitution and related laws, and preparing for reforms.

The premier concluded that the delay was not final at this point, but acknowledged that it could be when the law was passed.Meanwhile, some observers believed a 90-day delay in the election would not have any major adverse impact.Deunden Nikomborirak, research director for economic governance at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), said that in her view a three-month delay in the election was “acceptable to society. But any further delay could lead to uncertainties and raise questions whether there would actually be an election at all,” she added.

Chalat Chinthammit, assistant vice president of Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Plc, said yesterday that he did not think an election delay would affect Thailand’s credibility in the eyes of foreign investors if the government had a clear timeline and reason.Meanwhile, veteran politician Somsak Prisanananthakul, from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, said the NLA decision to stay the enforcement of the MPs election law for 90 days would adversely affect Prayut’s credibility although the PM denied interferring with the work of the legislature.

“However, I am still convinced by the prime minister’s words that there will be an election by November this year,” he added.

THE GOVERNMENT’S most senior figures – the prime minister and his first deputy – have sent conflicting signals as to when the next general election will be held.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said during his trip to India yesterday that he acknowledged the possibility of an election delay following the passage of the revised MPs election bill. But he said the matter is not yet finalised and his government would stick to the road map to the coming election.

“It’s still not finalised if the election will be postponed or not [from the tentative schedule]. I don’t know what will happen. This mater is about the legal mechanism,” the PM said.

Prayut said the situation was created by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which passed the law, and he could not over-ride its authority. However, his government has a road map and is following what has been announced, Prayut said, without elaborating on specifics.

Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that an election would definitely be held and added that there would be no further delay. He held out the possibility of the junta lifting the ban on political activities if the situation was calm and procedures were followed.

“It’s good [that the NLA has passed the bill] because people keep asking when the election will be held,” Prawit said.

The NLA late on Thursday passed the MPs election bill with a clause that delays it coming into effect for 90 days after its promulgation.

The lawmakers voted 213 to zero with four abstentions, after almost 14 hours of deliberations.

As a result, the next election, tentatively scheduled for November this year, could now be delayed until February next year.

Prawit yesterday declined to comment on a remark that the passage of the bill would result in the road map being delayed, saying the NLA had decided on the matter and so no further questions were needed.

Prawit also said there was no need to explain the move to the international community, which has repeatedly shared its concerns over Thailand being governed by a junta-backed government since 2014.

The international community wishes to see the election held, and it will be, said Prawit. It has just been delayed for three months, he said. It is clear that no further delay would take place, and the current delay still follows what was permitted under the charter.

The deputy PM said he could see no reason to impact the election timing.

If the situation is calm and procedures are followed, the junta would consider lifting the political ban, he added.

Prawit also rejected the notion that the junta had pressured the NLA to delay the election. The bill originated with and was passed by the NLA, which considered the amendment well into the night, he said.

Following the passage of the MPs election law, Prayut said yesterday he was ready to abide by it as well follow other legal procedures. This, he said, did not mean he was sending a signal to anyone. Prayut vowed to perform his duty to the best of his abilities and any changes would follow procedures as required by law. He also urged that other people, as well as politicians, do their part to the best of their ability.

The prime minister said everyone wants to have the election, but he asked whether the country would find itself back in the same situation. To make the country stable, the premier urged people to think things through, look at every aspect, and come up with measures to deal with it.

This is Thailand, he said, and people who are in the same democratic circle are all Thais.

The junta chief said if the election was delayed, nothing much would change as the government would follow its road map and the required procedures. The government has been pursuing three key steps, he said – fixing immediate problems, preparing the constitution and related laws, and preparing for reforms.

The premier concluded that the delay was not final at this point, but acknowledged that it could be when the law was passed.

Meanwhile, some observers believed a 90-day delay in the election would not have any major adverse impact.

Deunden Nikomborirak, research director for economic governance at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), said that in her view a three-month delay in the election was “acceptable to society”.

“But any further delay could lead to uncertainties and raise questions whether there would actually be an election at all,” she added.

Chalat Chinthammit, assistant vice president of Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Plc, said yesterday that he did not think an election delay would affect Thailand’s credibility in the eyes of foreign investors if the government had a clear timeline and reason.

Meanwhile, veteran politician Somsak Prisanananthakul, from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, said the NLA decision to stay the enforcement of the MPs election law for 90 days would adversely affect Prayut’s credibility although the PM denied interferring with the work of the legislature.

“However, I am still convinced by the prime minister’s words that there will be an election by November this year,” he added.

Prayut said the matter is driven by the National Legislative Assembly, which passed the law and he could not over-ride its authority. However, his government has a roadmap and is following what has been declared, Prayut said, without elaborating what that meant.

Following the MP law’s passage, Prayut said, he is ready to follow it and other legal procedures that follow. This, he said, did not mean he is sending a signal to anyone. Prayut vowed to perform his duty to the best of his abilities and any changes would follow procedures as required by law. He also urged that other people, as well as politicians, do their part the best they can.

Prayut said everyone wants to have the election, but he asked whether or not the country would find itself back in the same situation. To make the country stable, the premier urged, people should think things through, looking at every aspect and coming up with measures to deal with it.

This is Thailand, he said, and people who are in the same democratic circle are all Thais.

Prayut said if the election was delayed, nothing much would change as the government would follow its roadmap and required procedures. The government has been pursuing three prime steps, he said – fixing immediate problems, preparing for the constitution and related laws and preparing for reforms.

The premier concluded that the delay was not finalised at this point, but acknowledged that it could be when the law was passed.

Prawit was speaking after an amendment to the MP election bill was passed Thursday night by the National Legislative Assembly. The amendment, to delay implementation of the bill for 90 days beyond its proclamation, is expected to delay the vote to as late as February rather than the previously announced November deadline.

“There is no problem,” said Prawit. “It’s good [that they have passed the bill] because people keep asking when the election will be held.”

However, he declined to comment on a remark that the passage of the bill would result in the roadmap being delayed, saying the NLA had decided on the matter and so no further questions were needed.

Prawit also said there was no need to explain the move to the international community, which has repeatedly shared its concern over Thailand being governed by a military junta since 2014.

The international community wished to see the election held, and it would be, said Prawit. It has just been delayed for three months, he said. It is clear that no further delay would take place, and the current delay still follows what was permitted under the charter.

The deputy PM said he could see no reason to further impact the election timing.

If the situation is calm and procedures are followed, the junta would consider lifting the political ban, he added.

Prawit also rejected the notion that the junta exerted pressure on the NLA to delay the election timing. The bill originated with and was passed by the NLA, which considered the amendment into the night, he said.

NLA president Pornpetch Vichitcholchai called a 20-minute break and asked legislators to discuss the issue privately and try to settle down before the meeting resumed.

The Constitution Drafting Commission had envisioned 20 professional groups, but some legislators sought to reduce the number, fearing there could be bloc voting.

The NLA must also decide how to divide the group after agreeing on the number in Article 11.

The Senate bill is the last of 10 organic laws being deliberated. A deadline for its passage was set for today.

THE DEPUTY premier in charge of the government’s legal affairs said yesterday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had not signed any treaty committing him to hold the next election in November this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam’s comments came as the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) debated the controversial move to delay by three months the enforcement of the MP election law, which potentially could delay the election.

During several hours of debate, most NLA members agreed that a 90-day postponement was in keeping with the current circumstances. Some lawmakers suggested a longer period of postponement while others opposed any delay.

Wissanu yesterday said Prayut had “just made a remark” when speaking about the tentative election schedule during his visit to the United States in October last year. “No treaty was signed. If he had to sign any agreement, the prime minister would have needed approval from the Cabinet.

And he may have to inform the National Legislative Assembly, too,” he added.

The deputy PM was speaking at Government House during his meeting with a large group of editors, columnists and reporters. He said “unforeseen factors” like the 90-day delay in the election law’s enforcement certainly would affect the original “road map” under which the next election was tentatively scheduled for November. But he did not think a delay could be viewed as “breaking a promise”. The deputy PM said foreign countries should understand that logic “unless they pretend not to get it”.

Earlier, the US and the European Union separately called on the Thai government to comply with the road map and the November schedule promised by Prayut. Legislators yesterday spent many hours discussing the postponement of the election law’s enforcement.

Some NLA members proposed a postponement of 120 or 280 days despite criticism that they were helping the junta stall the election. The issue was part of the stipulation in the MPs election bill, which was in the Assembly for the second and third readings. The deliberations started at 9.30am, but the NLA had not started voting on the second reading as of press time.

The deadline for passage of the law is today, 60 days after the bill was submitted by charter drafters. The majority of the law-vetting committee insisted that without an enforcement delay, political parties would have difficulty making arrangements in time.

There were several arrangements that political parties had to make to ensure their eligibility to run in the elections, the legislators argued. For instance, they had to hold primary elections and handle member registrations as required by law, they said.

Seree Suwanpanon, a member of the committee, reiterated there were many things political parties had to get done before the election. The amendment to give them 90 extra days was well considered and aimed at helping the parties, he said. “There wouldn’t be enough time if we stuck to the previous stipulation. Parties wouldn’t be able to field candidates and then they would just blame us for having neglected this,” Seree said.

He also insisted the enforcement delay had not been ordered by the junta, calling it “a rational choice”. Some legislators, such as Taweesak Sukawatin, proposed that enforcement of the law be delayed for 120 days. That would ensure not only the political parties but also Election Commission would have time to prepare for the poll, he said. The EC might face new challenges such as online campaigning, he said, adding that 120 days would be better as it would not be too tight, reducing the pressure.

Meanwhile, a minority of the vetting committee – mainly from the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) – stuck to their view that the immediate enforcement of the election law would still give political parties enough time. CDC member Prapan Naigovit said the CDC considered 150 days provided for all sectors, as stipulated in the Constitution, was already flexible and sufficient for everyone to get ready for the national poll. Previous charters provided only 90 days, he added.

Aside from the controversial delay in the enforcement, the NLA meeting yesterday also spent considerable time debating whether to ban people failing to exercise their voting rights from working in some areas in the government sector such as in Parliament. Some said the punishment would encourage voters to turn up while others viewed it as an infringement of rights. Some legislators argued that “no” vote could be a form of political expression, too.

They should not be punished for such an action, they said. Another heated debate surrounded the stipulation on whether to allow recreation activities as part of the election campaign. One side said it could lead to vote buying and corruption, while the other pointed out that it was an incentive to draw people to participate in politics.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy leader Ong-art Klampaiboon said there was a hidden agenda behind the legislators’ postponement of the MPs election law’s enforcement. He added that the move by the committee vetting the bill was “unusual”. “People disagree with the postponement because they suspect a hidden agenda,” the veteran politician said, adding that “this cunning plot” was not necessary, as the new law could be allowed to take effect normally.