After more than four years of military rule, Thailand will finally hold elections on March 24. The poll will be the first since generals overthrew a democratically elected government in 2014 after months of violent street protests. The election commission announced the decision on Wednesday after having postponed the vote’s date several times. In December, the commission said the elections would be held on February 24, but the military government expressed concern that election-related events would clash with early preparations for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, scheduled for May 4-6.
The monarchy is revered in Thailand, and this year’s coronation will be the first in living memory for most of the population.
“The Election Commission agreed to set the election date for March 24,” chairman Ithiporn Boonprakong told reporters.
He added the new date “is appropriate based on different factors, including early ballots and candidate registration”.
Full Article: Thailand to hold first election since 2014 coup d’etat | Elections 2018 News | Al Jazeera.