<div><img alt="" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/821/26174246717_26d4826242_b.jpg" /></div> <div> </div> <div>Overall analysis of the coming elections by Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee: Three hurdles that new parties face in the coming elections, together with the single-ballot system, opportunities for pro-military parties and campaign strategy when policies aren't the main focus suggest that little immediate change will be achieved. </div>

<div> <div>Two major political parties have challenged the junta’s new regulation which handicaps old parties amid criticism that the military is manipulating the election laws for the benefit of new parties in the next general election scheduled in November 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On 27 December 2017, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a member of the Pheu Thai Party legal team, <a href="https://prachatai.com/journal/2017/12/74741">submitted a petition</a> to the Constitution Court asking it to rule whether the junta’s endorsement of Head of the National Council for Peace and Order </div></div>

<div> <div> <div>After raising hopes, the junta head will not be lifting the ban on political activities even though the royal cremation is over, explaining that the timing remains inappropriate.&nbsp;</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Junta leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha told the media today that the ban on political activity will remain in place to ensure social order and stability. He stated once again that the junta will revoke the ban when the proper time comes.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>“I ask you to trust me. I myself am aware and thinking about this issue. </div></div>

<div> <div>Political parties, despite their divergent ideologies, are united in urging the junta to lift its ban on political activity now that the Organic Act on Political Parties is in effect. </div></div>

<div> <div>Despite heavy criticism, the junta’s constitution drafters have insisted on keeping the death penalty in the organic law on political parties.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On 20 December 2016, Norachit Sinhaseni, spokesperson for the junta’s Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), said that after hosting public hearings on the Organic Bill on Political Parties, the CDC decided to retain the death penalty for politicians guilty of serious corruption, like receiving money in exchange for political positions, <a href="http://www.tnamcot.com/content/618188">reported</a> the Thai News Agency </div></div>