PM Anutin's party gets a huge lead in Thailand elections (file photo)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's ruling Bhumjaithai party has taken a big lead in a three-way contest in Thailand's general election. According to the initial trends released by the Election Commission, after counting of about 80 percent of the polling stations, Bhumjaithai Party is far ahead of its rivals.
Due to which the path of government formation and coalition formation seems to be becoming easier.
Analysts believe that the timing of this snap election, held during the Cambodia border dispute in December, was chosen to capitalize on the wave of nationalism. Anutin took power after the ouster of former Prime Minister Patongtarn Shinawatra and held elections in less than 100 days.
People's Party in second place
The Progressive People's Party, which was projected to be ahead in pre-poll surveys, now seems to be slipping to second place. Party leader Natthaphong Ruangpanyavut made it clear that his party would not join a Bhumjaithai-led government and was prepared to sit in the opposition. Meanwhile, Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party stood third.
During the election campaign, the People's Party had the biggest lead in the opinion polls. However, a survey conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration revealed that Bhumjaithai may get 140 to 150 seats in the elections for the 500-member House of Representatives. It may get 125-135 seats more than the People's Party.
In the referendum held along with the elections, voters supported the draft of the new constitution by almost two-thirds majority. The 2017 Constitution is considered a military-backed document, which has been criticized for centralization of power.
If the process of creating a new constitution begins, amendments in Parliament and two further referendums will be required. Experts say the election outcome and the direction of constitutional reform could have long-term implications for Thailand's political stability and democratic structure. (With inputs from news agency Reuters)
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