Return of 2-ballot voting system could prove a threat to PM’s future

The future of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and that of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party is in question due to the return of the 2-ballot voting system. The Bangkok Post reports that Parliament has approved a charter amendment bill that proposed a return to the system. According to the report, the voting system could prove an advantage to the Pheu Thai opposition party in the next election.

The move comes following the removal of Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and Deputy Labour Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat from their posts last week, both of whom are close with Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon, who is also leader of the ruling PPRP. Thamanat has been accused of orchestrating a campaign to remove the PM and according to the Bangkok Post report, his time with the PPRP could be about to end.

Speaking to the Post, Stithorn Thananithichote, from King Prajadhipok’s Institute, says Thamanat and Prawit may have proposed a return to the 2-ballot system as a way of hindering parties like Move Forward, which is proving popular with younger voters.

“While they could not stop major parties like Pheu Thai, they can thwart the MFP, whose predecessor – the Future Forward Party – benefited from the single-ballot system in the previous election.”

Sithorn adds that support from 250 senators could still afford the PM another term. The senators were appointed by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order, which the PM headed up, and Sithorn believes that if he can heal the rifts within the PPRP, he could secure enough support for another term.

Sithorn also believes Pheu Thai could lose a substantial number of votes to the MFP at the next election, with Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang agreeing a landslide victory as happened previously is not guaranteed.

Meanwhile, the deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Nipit Intharasombat, has told the Bangkok Post that the PM will remain in power until the law on elections is ratified, but after that is likely to call an election.

“I don’t think the PM will want to serve another term given that he will face fierce resistance.”

SOURCE: Bangkok Post