Because of the ban, political parties are unable to begin making arrangements prescribed by law for the election due to be held late next year. If parties decide to exercise their right to amend the law, the EC would have to make a request to the government, Meechai said. The organic law on political parties was enacted last month, so the countdown to the election has partly begun. Under the law, political parties are required, for instance, to make adjustments such as updating registration records and reporting them to the EC registrar within 90 days. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had made assurances that he would not let it hurt political parties’ rights, he said.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 15, 2017 18:11 UTC