Thailand will hold its long-awaited general election, the first since the 2014 military coup, on 24 March.
The official announcement of the date, which came hours after King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed a royal decree formalising the election, marks a significant moment in Thailand’s stilted return to democracy.
The military junta, who overthrew the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014 to seize power in a bloodless coup, have postponed the elections at least five times over five years, initially claiming that Thailand was “not ready”.
The elections were expected to be held on 24 February, but the junta delayed again at the beginning of this year over concerns it would clash with the coronation of the king, which is due to happen at the beginning of May.
But speaking on Wednesday afternoon, an election commission spokesperson confirmed: “24 March will be the election day.”
At the end of last year, the junta lifted the draconian restrictions on political campaigning and protests which had been in place since 2014, preventing all political activity and gatherings of more than five people. As the election delays dragged on, a growing number of Thais took to the streets in pro-democracy protests over the last weeks, demanding that the junta finally declare an official election date.
Thailand’s last official polls were held eight years ago, which saw Shinawatra take office. After a period of political unrest, elections were held again in 2014 but were later declared invalid by the Thai constitutional court.
Previous elections in Thailand have been marked by protests which have often dissolved into violence between pro-democracy and pro-military groups. Prime minister and leader of the military government, Prayut Chan-o-cha, called for an “environment of orderliness, civility and unity” for the upcoming elections.
Even with a democratic election, due to a new constitution drawn up and passed by the military junta, the system is heavily skewed in favour of maintaining the power of the military over the Thai parliament. In an unprecedented move, the military has also formed its own political party to run in the election.
While Pheu Thai, the political party of former prime minsters Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck – who are now both living in exile outside of Thailand and banned from taking part in any political activity – remains the most popular party in Thailand, many are predicting that Prayut will be returned as prime minister due to powerful military influence and fractures in Pheu Thai’s leadership.
Under the law, the election commission has to endorse winning members of parliament within 60 days of a vote, and parliament must convene within 15 days of the results.
