Thailand’s royal palace issued a decree on Wednesday authorising the first general election since the military took power in 2014.
The decree published in the Royal Gazette puts into effect election laws that were drafted by the military government, which has kept tight control over political activities and made efforts to quash dissent.
The ruling junta had pushed back several promised election deadlines at least once every year since a coup in May 2014 overthrew a democratically elected government. The most recent promised election date of Feb. 24 had to be abandoned because the decree giving the go-ahead was not issued as expected earlier this month, leaving not enough time to prepare for the polls.
Wednesday’s decree gives the Election Commission the task of announcing a poll date within five days. The body said it would announce it following a meeting later Wednesday.
Anti-government protesters have staged sporadic demonstrations on Bangkok’s streets in recent months, demanding there be no further delays in holding elections.
The government had announced earlier this month that coronation ceremonies for Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn would take place in early May, which also fueled speculation that the poll date of Feb. 24 would be delayed.
The Office of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said in a statement that with the laws in place, the decree “should end any further doubts on the holding and timing of general elections.”
The statement said the government had told the Election Commission to also consider the scheduling of the coronation ceremony before it announces an election date so the two events don’t overlap.