A poster on a taxi appeals to anti-Thaksin protesters to vote. A group of pro-Thaksin taxi drivers handed out leaflets yesterday urging people to vote on April 2.

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said his party had received complaints from three candidates that they had been deceived by a man who is a Thai Rak Thai member.

"He paid each of them Bt30,000 to run in the election on behalf of the PDP," Suthep said.

However, Suthep said that when the press reported that some candidates from small parties had been found not to have been registered as party members for at least 90 days prior to the poll, as required by the Constitution, the three men grew concerned about violating electoral law.

"[When I consulted with them] I suggested that they resign from the party, but they said they didn't know where the PDP was located.

"I then told them they should send resignation letters to the Election Commission (EC) and the provincial Election Commission to consider their disqualification," Suthep said.

The Democrat Party has assigned Suwaroj Palang to petition EC Chairman Vassana Permlarp and urge him to keep a closer watch on electoral shenanigans, he said.

The three complainants are Nipha Chanphoti, Ratchanoo Tangsri and Suwit Op-oon, all registered to run for office in Trang province.

Thammasak Tanvaropas, the local election chief, conceded that none of the candidates had been registered members of the PDP 90 days before the scheduled election.

"By law we can't amend anything or do anything except wait for the EC's announcement tomorrow. If the three candidates lack proper qualifications to contest the election, we will announce their disqualification," he said.