POLITICS / RESTRICTIONS ON PARTY ACTIVITIES

Ban may be lifted as early as July

WASSANA NANUAM & NATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS

The ban on political party activities could be lifted in as little as three months, Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday. It might be revoked shortly after July 6 _ the day the draft of the new constitution was due to be completed.

The CNS had discussed the proposed end to the ban and agreed that it should wait until there was ''constitutional clarity''.

If the new charter was seen as likely to be accepted by the public and the political situation had stabilised, the CNS would consider before July 6 whether the ban could be lifted.

''As a matter of fact, the CNS chief [Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin] did not want to mention July 6 or be specific about the date. If constitutional clarity is guaranteed, if the public wants it, and the situation has stabilised, then the ban can be lifted sooner,'' he said.

The ban on political party activities was brought in by the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) after the Sept 19 coup. The CDR later changed its name to the CNS.

Col Sansern stressed the need to maintain the ban because certain groups were still trying to mobilise mass demonstrations in the capital and instigate chaos.

He said the ban would not affect attempts to form new political parties or to draft election platforms. The CNS would give politicians fair opportunity and enough time for an election campaign.

Col Sansern said the CNS was likely to allow party executives to meet and map out election platforms. But visiting constituencies would be barred.

''We are worried about political groups with strong financial backing. They could create trouble,'' he said.

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday offered to meditate between the CNS and politicians.

The EC felt the ban should be lifted before a public referendum on the new draft constitution is held. It wanted political parties to help with raising public awareness about the referendum.

It was reported that the CNS did not want to lift the ban before the Constitution Tribunal handed down its verdict in the party dissolution cases _ in which the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties are on trial for poll fraud.

The tribunal is expected to give its rulings in late May or early July.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva welcomed the prospect of an early lifting of the ban.

He was among those who felt Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's proposed lifting of the prohibition in September gave parties too little time to prepare for a general election.

Mr Abhisit said the CNS might have come to realise that the ban would also affect the constitutional referendum.

But he did not agree with the intention by the CNS to use ''constitutional clarity'' as a condition when making its decision.

The Democrat leader said he would step up the pressure and ask the EC to hold talks with the CNS and the government about the possibility of lifting the ban earlier.

Bangkok Post

Wednesday April 04, 2007