After a long wait, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) finally lifted the ban on political activities today, paving the way for political parties to begin campaigning for the February-24 election in earnest.

The ban on political activities, especially electioneering, was rescinded by an executive order issued by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as head of the NCPO.

Gen Prayut said in the order that since the country has entered an election mode with election set for February 24 next year, members of the public should have the right to political participation by electing parties of their choices freely and that political parties should be allowed to launch electioneering to present their policies to the people.

Nine executive orders related to the election earlier issued by the NCPO were scrapped to pave way for the launch of political activities and poll campaigning.

Political parties had long urged the NCPO to end the ban which they insisted contradicted