Seventy-four parties and groups have sent 199 members to attend a meeting hosted by the government at the Army Club in Bangkok to discuss the general election.
Of all 69 parties existing before the 2014 coup, 45 sent 124 members to attend Monday’s meeting. They included the Democrats, Chartthaipattana, Bhumjaithai, Chartpattana, and Phalangchon.
Three of all 69 old parties, notably Pheu Thai, turned down the invitations while 22 could not be reached.
Of all 10 groups which already applied to set up parties, nine sent 27 members to join the talk.
Of all 74 groups in the process of forming parties, 20 sent 48 members to attend. (continued below)
The government side was led by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who presided over the meeting, and Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Election Commission president Supachai Somcharoen and secretary Pol Col Charoongvit Poomma also attended.
Other members from the government side were from the Constitution Drafting Committee, the Council of State and the National Council for Peace and Order.
All non-government attendees were not allowed to bring in their mobile phones inside the conference room.
The meeting will discuss legal issues and regulations obstructing political activities and politicians will be allowed to express opinions and give suggestions.
Among the key issues faced by parties now is “catch-22” stemming from an NCPO order banning activities of old parties.
A party is supposed to hold a general meeting and recruit members. In order to do so, representatives of its branches must attend. However, all party branches had been dissolved by the NCPO shortly after the coup so it could not set up new branches and hold the meeting, which is needed to decide on how it should proceed with the primary vote it is constitutionally required ahead of the general election to screen its MP candidates.
Furthermore, with the delay of the effect of the political parties law, the EC said it could not define constituency boundaries. Without clear constituency boundaries, parties cannot prepare primary votes.
