Election campaign has been officially begun Wednesday since Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, was ousted in a coup last year as eighteen parties fielded candidates for December 23 general election with none of them expected to win an outright majority.

Registration for candidates, with a festive atmosphere as leaders of the key parties handed in their lists to the official Election Commission at a city stadium.

“This election is crucial for our country. It will lead our country to full democratic rule,” commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond told the assembled party leaders.

He said he wanted to offer assurances that the commission was neutral throughout the campaign.

Parties have until Sunday to register candidates who will contest 80 party list seats in parliament, which are voted for according to regional zones.

Registration opens on Monday for candidates contesting 400 constituency seats.

The military junta behind last year’s coup and the civilian government it appointed have promised that the election will bring a full return to democracy in Thailand.

They have insisted the vote will be free and fair, but analysts have expressed doubts over the pledge as about a third of the country remains under martial law.