Thailand set to hold general elections on March 24
Thailand's Election Commission has set March 24 as the date for the country's first general elections since the 2014 military coup that overthrew the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
The commission announced the decision on Wednesday after having postponed the event several times.
"The Election Commission agreed to set the election date for March 24," Election Commission chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong told reporters during a press briefing in the capital Bangkok.
He added that the new date "is appropriate based on different factors, including early ballots and candidate registration."
Political parties will submit lists of parliamentary candidates and up to three candidates for prime minister to the commission within the time span of February 4-8, he stated.
Wednesday's announcement came hours after King Maha Vajiralongkorn issued a royal decree authorizing the vote.
The military government has pushed back the elections several times for various reasons after the 2014 coup, citing the need for peace and order after months of street protests. The military government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has called for an "environment of orderliness, civility and unity."
Supporters of the Shinawatra clan say they are the first political dynasty to address the aspirations of Thailand's poor in a kingdom where wealth is hoarded by the Bangkok business elite.
Thailand last held a successful election in 2011.
The country has been plagued by more than a decade of political chaos since 2006, when Yingluck's older brother, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled by the military after months of protests.
Thaksin, a populist who pushed policies favoring Thailand's rural poor and middle classes, triggered deep political polarization in the kingdom. The policies helped Thaksin and his supporters win several elections, while his "Red Shirt" movement also challenged Bangkok's elite establishment.
Iran’s unprecedented strikes against Israel ‘legitimate’: Malaysia PM
Australia police arrest man after reports of stabbing in western Sydney
Six killed, several injured in Sydney stabbing spree
US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership
Iran sufficed to striking part of Israel’s military positions: FM to UN chief
IRGC: Israel’s Dimnoa nuclear reactor not among Op. True Promise’s targets
VIDEO | West Asia awakens
'Stop any further Israeli adventurism,' Iran FM tells Security Council
Google fires 28 employees for protesting military deal with Israel
Burkina Faso expels three French diplomats over ‘subversive activities’
Iran slams G7 statement, vows no iota of doubt to respond to aggression
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
