Bangkok (VNA) - The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand has announced that the country’s general election roadmap will last꧒ from December 11, 2018 to M🎀ay 9, 2019.

However, the election date will be only officially announced after the government completely lifts the political party ban to pave the way for political parties to kick off the roadmap. In September, Thailand promulgated the laws on the election of members of the House of Representatives and senators, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will announce a draft political future. Next month, the Puea Thai and Democrat Parties will have their new boards of leaders. Between December 2018 and January 2019, the laws on electing parliamentarians will take effect, the political party ban will be lifted, a decree on election will be announced, political parties will reveal their lists of candidates, and the PM will decide which political party he will join to run for the election. February 24, 2019 is considered the earliest day for the general election to be held and other projected dates are March 31, April 28 and May 5. Regarding the possibility of holding the election on February 24 as declared, EC General Secretary Jaroongwit Phumma said his agency is ready to hold the general election on February 24. Preliminary elections of parties to select candidates must be completed 90 days before the general election date, he said, adding that the EC will organise 90,000 constituencies nationwide. Local media also quoted deputy leader of the Democrat Party Ong-arj Klampaibul as saying that the party will hold a meeting of its executive board on September 24 to discuss holding a party caucus to start preparations for the election next year. Ong-arj said Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called the meeting after the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order issued an order to partially relax the political party ban. Pheu Thai Secretary General Phumtham Wechayachai also said that the party executives would soon meet to discuss the date of the party’s general assembly. Phumtham said the executives would discuss the form and date of the assembly and would inform the Election Commission of the decisions in line with the political party law. Meanwhile, the Bhum Jai Thai Party will also hold a meeting of its executive board on September 24 to start election preparations, according to Bhum Jai Thai Deputy Secretary-General Supachai Jaisamut.-VNA