<span style="color: #222222;">Thailand's junta on Tuesday lifted a ban on political campaigning ahead of 2019 elections. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It comes more than four years after the restriction was imposed following the kingdom's latest coup.</span><br />'' <br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The lifting of the ban has prompted the Election Commission to confirm an expected poll date of February 24. An order signed by junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha said political parties should be able to campaign to present their policies. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The order has been published by palace mouthpiece the Royal Gazette.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Politicians of across the divides welcomed the easing of the ban.</span><br />