Pongthep told Nation TV that since the majority of the Constitution Court judges said the setting the election date was not the main cause of the nullification so the government did not have to take any responsibility.

Pongthep said the Thai Rak Thai had always insisted that it would accept any ruling by the court.

Pongthep said Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra would have to decide whether to contest the next election.

The People's Alliance for Democracy and academics called on Thaksin to continue his political break until the current Constitution is amended.

Pongthep said it would be up to the Election Commission to set the next election date.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said Monday that his party would contest the new election without setting up any condition.

He added that the Democrat would contest the election although the current EC had not been replaced.

The Democrat and activists have accused the EC of being biased in favour of the government.

The Nation