The junta imposed a strict ban on political activity after it took power in 2014, citing the need to impose order after months of street protests against the democratically elected government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. "The Election Commission has set February 24, 2019, as election day," Deputy Election Commision Secretary-General Nat Laosisawakul told reporters. "On the lifting of the political ban, this will depend on the government," Nat said. The Bangkok-based establishment seized power in successive coups in 2006 and 2014 and now has its own proxy political parties. The military government has repeatedly pushed back the general election but said last week the ban on political activities would likely be lifted later this month and that political parties would be able to start campaigning in early January.

Source: bd News24 December 11, 2018 05:26 UTC