Civic and pro-democracy groups and academics yesterday proposed a sweeping boycott of the April 2 general election by both candidates and voters because the snap poll would not solve the political crisis.

In a dramatic response to the dissolution of the House on Friday, Suriyasai Katasila, the chief coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, called on the three opposition parties, Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon, to field no candidates at all and on pro-democracy voters not to choose a constituency or party-list MP.

Another pro-democracy group, the Academic Network for Democracy, said political parties had the right to withhold nominating candidates rather than support the election, which they believed would not solve the issue of "conflict of interest" and would not lead to substantial political reform.

On Friday Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hastily announced the early election in a bid to counter today's mass rally at Sanam Luang.

However, his opponents said the move was not the answer and continued to demand his resignation from public office.

Tawee Suraritthikul, a political-science lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said the April 2 poll would be worrisome because the government had not allowed enough time for other parties and election authorities to prepare for it.

"The ruling Thai Rak Thai Party will have a great advantage over all three opposition parties. This will reduce competition in the polls, so why [should other parties] field candidates?" he said.

Tawee's network also urged voters to go to the polls but tick the "no-vote" box.

"I believe many will boycott the government because what Prime Minister Thaksin has done is a hindrance to political development. If there's to be political reform, it will probably not come from the Army but the people, who are expressing their views and power. Eventually the Thaksin regime will be overthrown," he said.

Chulalongkorn University lecturer Charas Suwanmala said academics also saw that despite the House dissolution Thaksin's abuse of power should be investigated in greater detail because, if he were re-elected, his poll victory could whitewash him.

He suggested that the election date be reconsidered to avoid more public discontent and the waste of taxpayer's money its results not be widely recognised.

Academics also called on the public to keep a close watch on the election to ensure transparency and on all parties to consider charter amendments as a national agenda in their platforms.

"There are concerns that the election results may be unacceptable, as in the 1957 election that ended in political turmoil, which I think would be the worst thing for the country's image," Charas said.

"Even if the Thaksin government returns to power with 20 million votes, the legitimacy issue will not go away. The results would be just political whitewash over the dirt," he added.

The Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon parties all failed to decide on a boycott but are expected to make an announcement today.

"We are looking for the best way to deal with PM Thaksin," Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told a press conference at the Emerald Hotel.

"Each party will go back to discuss this issue and come up with a resolution," he said.

Democrat Party executives had debated the election boycott proposal for six hours as supporters argued that the House dissolution was wrong, since the political crisis was about Thaksin, not the House.

The party should reject dissolution and the snap election, they said.

However, some Democrat executives opposed this as ostensibly illegal and undemocratic.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai reportedly opposed a boycott.

PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva also pleaded for the Democrats and Mahachon to "play by the rules" rather than ignore the election.

"They should think of the interests of the whole nation rather than of themselves," he said.

Suranand blamed some academics for urging the two parties to shun the poll. He said everyone should have respect for democratic values.

Mahachon leader Sanan Kachornprasart believed a boycott might not be necessary.

He said the people wanted Thaksin to quit so they would continue to protest against him.

"There will be no election on April 2, for the people will not allow Thaksin to remain as caretaker prime minister," he said.