ISTANBUL

Early election results to 500-member Thailand parliament show vote of senate members will decide fate of political parties to form first civilian government in the last eight years.

Thai Election Commission (EC) announced on Sunday night -- hours after polling closed at 5 p.m. (GMT2200) -- that 65.96 percent of total votes were cast, lower than expected.

The initial results showed fractured mandate among top three parties which in fact make vote of senate more important, local media reported.

The general elections were delayed four times since 2014 in Buddhist-majority when powerful Royal Thai army toppled the last civilian government and country was under martial law since then.

Opposition Pheu Thai party, the initial results show after counting of 83 percent of total votes polled, had won 142 out while the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat party led by ex-army general Prayut Chan-o-cha is close behind with 135 seats, Bangkok-based daily The Nation reported.

Future Forward, Bhumjaithai and Democrat parties won 71, 33 and 62 seats, respectively.

A journalist working with a Thai English newspaper told Anadolu Agency (AA) that military backed Prime Minister, who is a former army general himself, Prayut Chan-o-cha of Phalang Prachart was “favorite to form government even if his party does not win majority of the seats."

"Since, no single party, as results show, could register a massive victory it makes role of senate important," the journalist, who did not want to be named, said.

"Anti-[military]government camp is worried that 250 members of senate [upper house] to be selected by Thai Royal army will possibly support Phalang Prachart party [led by Prayut Chan-o-cha],” the journalist said.

250 senators will be appointed by the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) -- a Thai military administrative set-up since 2014 -- and will first time in history of Thailand take part in election of next prime minister of Southeast Asian country when the parliament is convened. Prayut is incumbent premier appointed by NCPO since 2014 coup.

The military junta implemented a new constitution in Thailand -- a constitutional monarchy since 1932 -- in 2017 giving senate important role in election of prime minister.

The journalist said that people, “especially new voters were excited as people believe it is only through vote that democracy be strengthened in the country”.

A senior political analyst based in Bangkok told the Anadolu Agency that the military junta would “use the election to legitimize its power perpetuation”.

“Only the coalition with military back up could last long,” he said, seeking anonymity.

He said that there are personal and institutional interests "involved" in the electioneering process and “that is we see role of army”.

“Basically, defense budget increased over the past decade after military intervention; factions and individuals in the military take part in state-run business[es],” he argued.

The journalist concurred the statement of the political analyst claiming that “people are not confident about this election”.

“Everything is planned,” the source said. “That is how common people see it.”

The journalist added that there will be “impact on power holding of gen Prayut [if he retains premier's post]”.

“Even if he comes back as a civilian face of the ‘elected’ government, people are expecting a strong opposition which will make checks and balances possible which was missing under army rule,” the journalist said, adding: “new government won’t survive long… another election is coming.”

Interestingly, the Thai military junta and political parties, alike, were shaken when now-disbanded Thai Raksa Chart party announced Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi -- the elder sister of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn as their premier candidate.

The constitutional court barred the party and its members from active politics for coming ten years since last month. It was accused of violating Thai tradition where Royal family cannot enter the electioneering process.

An MIT (US) graduate, Ubolratana left her royal status in 1972 but continued to take part in the royal ceremonies.

The party was founded by the allies of former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck, who was ousted in a 2014 coup.