Thailand votes in first elections since '14 coup

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (KUNA) -- Thailand heads to the polls on Sunday in the first general elections since the military coup in 2014.
A total of 68 candidates, including eight women, are running for prime minister post.
The election will restore civilian rule, but the military will retain a decisive role in politics under a new constitution, and the former army chief, who led the 2014 coup, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, is hoping to stay in as head of an elected government.
The Sunday vote will determine 500 members of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Thailand's legislative branch. The ruling Junta will appoint the 250-member Senate, or the upper house.
Several political analysts predicted that total voter turnout could exceed 80 percent to reach an all-time high.
Thailand's Election Commission has until May 9 to finalize outcome of the elections. (end) aab.haq