After four years in political speeches and meetings, Thailand politicians are gearing up for the first election after a coup in 2014. The final hurdle towards holding an election this year, a royal decree was signed by King Vajiralongkorn. The decree gave power to agencies related to government to hold voting for the House of Representatives.
The decree, published in the Royal Gazette, called for a general "election of members of parliament" and gives the kingdom's Election Commission five days to announce when it will hold the much-anticipated poll.
Nearly five years ago, the junta toppled the government of Yingluck Shinawatra for criminal negligence, rewriting the constitution, muzzling dissent and appointing key military allies across the bureaucracy.
The junta had said polls would be held no later than the end of February, but the late signing by 66-year-old King Maha Vajiralongkorn may mean elections are put back for several weeks.
However, the political leaders can officially start campaigning.
Analysts say the military is positioning itself for a return to government through its proxy party with junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha angling for a role as civilian leader after the election.
A recruiting drive was held by lead members of the army-linked Phalang Pracharat party at the traditional rural base of Yingluck and her brother Thaksin, who was toppled by an earlier coup in 2006.
Questions remain about whether Pheu Thai, the Shinawatras' main party, still draws the loyalty of its vote banks in the poor, rural north and northeast without the star power of its brother-sister duo.
Both remain in self-exile to avoid convictions they say are politically motivated. While Yingluck has embarked on a series of photo ops, Thaskin has launched a weekly podcast sharing his views on Thai society and economy.
Even if the junta rivals do well in elections, any new civilian government is expected to be hamstrung by the military-scripted constitution.
It allows for an upper house to be fully appointed by the junta rubber-stamp assembly, while embedding 20-year strategies governing everything from the economy to education policy.
"You can call it hybrid democracy," said Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a political analyst and academic at Thammasat University.
There were demonstrations in Bangkok over uncertainty on the election date, but analysts do not expect an immediate return to the violent, paralysing street protests that defined Thailand's politics since the fall of Thaksin.
The election is expected to be held before the coronation of Thailand's king in early May.
