Thai PM says gov't sticks to election roadmap despite delay

BANGKOK, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday said the government would stick to the roadmap to the general election despite the fact that the legislative body postponed enforcement of an election bill.

Prayut said his government did not meddle with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) in their handling of the election bill, vowing that he will perform his duty to the best and any changes would follow procedures as required by law.

The NLA on Thursday voted 196 to 12 to pass the draft organic bill, approving the postponement of enforcement of the bill by three months to give political parties time to prepare for the poll, which means the date to hold the general election will be further delayed.

The bill is one of the four election-related organic laws. According to the constitution, an election must be held within 150 days of the four bills being promulgated.

The majority of the NLA panel voted for the bill to take effect 90 days after it was passed and published on the government's website, deferring the election date by next February.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told media that the general election would probably take place next February at the latest if there are no further hurdles.

Prayut, who has once said the election will fall on this November, acknowledged the delay, but also emphasized that the election date has not been finalized yet. Enditem