Vote counting is underway in Thailand’s early general election, seen as a three-way race among competing visions of progressive, populist and old-fashioned patronage politics.
The battle for support from 53 million registered voters came against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment.
While more than 50 parties contested the polls, only three – the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai – have the nationwide organisation and popularity to gain a winning mandate.
A simple majority of the 500 elected lawmakers selects the next prime minister.
Local polls consistently project that no single party will gain a majority, necessitating the formation of a coalition government.
Voting includes a referendum asking voters whether Thailand should replace its 2017 military-drafted constitution.
The vote isn’t on a proposed draft, but to decide whether to authorise parliament to begin a formal drafting process, which requires many further steps before coming to fruition.
Pro-democracy groups view a new charter as a critical step toward reducing the influence of unelected institutions such as the military and judiciary. Conservatives warn that it could cause instability. — AP
