Polls could be delayed until 2016, says Thai leader
18 Oct CHINADAILY
Thailand's interim prime minister, who seized power in a military
coup, suggested Wednesday that the country's next elections may not
occur until 2016, although he earlier set a target date of October 2015.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was army commander when he toppled an elected
government in May, said he could not control the implementation of a
roadmap he established earlier, which called for a new constitution in
July 2015 and a general election about three months later.
“Don't push me too much on this,” Prayuth told reporters ahead of his
departure for Italy, where he is to attend a summit of Asian and
European leaders. “I've already said it, so that's the end.
Everything depends on the roadmap, so the issue is whether we can
follow the roadmap or not.” He said he alone could not finish the
process.
Prayuth has consistently maintained that the October 2015 date was a
provisional one, contingent on a series of post-coup measures proceeding
smoothly.
He has said that criticism of the process could slow the schedule.
Criticism is effectively criminalized under regulations imposed by the
army after its takeover, and martial law remains in effect.
Reporters asked him about the election date after Deputy Prime
Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, a legal expert, said the polls might not
take place until 2016 because of the need to pass legislation for
holding elections.
Thailand has suffered from political instability since 2006, when an
earlier military coup ousted then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on
allegations of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for the king.
Supporters and opponents of Thaksin have struggled for power at the
ballot box and in the streets, sometimes violently.
The army said it needed to seize power from an elected pro-Thaksin
government in May to restore order after a half year of anti-government
protests and political turmoil that left at least 28 people dead and the
government paralyzed. But since taking power, the army appears to be
carrying on the fight of anti-Thakin protesters by mapping out a similar
agenda to rewrite the constitution and institute extensive political
reforms aimed at blocking his return to power.
It has quashed most dissent, threatening or arresting critics of the
coup. |