BANGKOK, Jan 24 (TNA) – Despite mounting pressure, four
Cabinet ministers have not resigned from their posts after the Election
Commission (EC) has formally set March 24 for the general election.
After the EC on Wednesday set the election date, political
parties are allowed to begin their election campaign for the poll, the first
since the 2014 coup.
Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana who is leader of the
pro-junta Palang Pracharat Party, said during his party policy announcement on
Thursday that he and three other ministers would resign on a “proper date.”
It had been expected that the ministers would submit their
resignation before February 8, the final day of candidate registration.
From February 4 to 8, political parties can fill their
parliamentary candidates and submit up to three candidates for prime
minister.
Even though Uttama refused to confirm, his party is widely
expected to nominate Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on their list of prime minister
candidates.
Party members planned to decide on the list on January 28,
he said.
Also on January 28, Pheu Thai Party of the ousted former
prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will reveal the party candidates for all
constituencies. Head of the party’s
election strategy panel Sudarat Keyuraphan said the party would hold a
candidate meeting as well as election campaign strategy.
Following the EC election date announcement, there has been
confusion over campaign regulations as many candidate-to-be politicians posted
their banners in Bangkok. The EC later
clarified that the laws required that election campaign banners were to be
placed only at designated locations.
EC officials in Bangkok Wichuda Mekhanuwong said the
Commission would give a list of locations next week, warning politicians to
follow regulations and EC’s instructions.(TNA)
