The National Council for Peace and Order is expected to lift political restrictions in order to allow political parties to fully engage in political activities on November 26, according to an informed Government House source.

The source said that November 26 is the deadline for potential election candidates to register as party members otherwise they will be disqualified to contest the election.

Election candidates are legally required to join a party no less than 90 days before the election which falls on February 24.  Hence the deadline of party membership registration for the candidates falls on November 26.

Meanwhile, acting Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said it is now almost certain that the election will be held on February 24 after the Education Ministry has moved forward the GAT/PAT tests for pre-university students by one week earlier to avoid clashing with the election date.

He said the NCPO could move forward the meeting between the Election Commission and political parties to discuss further easing of political restrictions so that the remaining restrictions could be lifted sooner rather than later.