In Thailand, the junta is appearing poised to hold on to power in the first general election in the country since the 2014 military coup. Sunday's poll, seen as a referendum on the military, was held under new rules written by the junta to ease its transformation into a civilian government. People turned out in large numbers to vote, their enthusiasm fired by years of denied democracy. Despite that, with 93 per cent of ballots tallied, pro-military Phalang Pracharat party had nearly half a million more votes than the main opposition Pheu Thai. <br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">While the official results will not be announced until after the coronation of King Vajiralongkorn in May, the Election Commission is scheduled to announce the unofficial results this Friday.</span>