The scheduling of the trial date follows yesterday's hearing on the case.

The arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday.

The litigation was initiated by Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senniam.

In its list of defendants, the court singled out EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp and three EC members, Prinya Nakchudtree, Virachai Naewboonnien and Jarupat Ruangsuwan.

Although Jarupat resigned from the EC last Monday, he will be tried for alleged violations committed while in office.

In his writ, Thaworn named the EC and EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapha as potential defendants. The court, however, ruled that the two had no bearing on the case.

For commencing the trial, the court said it found reasons to suspect the four defendants of being involved in criminal and electoral violations stemming from the management of the second round of elections.

The trial will focus on the four defendants' management of the elections in 38 constituencies located in 15 provinces.

A key question is whether the decision to allow additional registration of candidates, and defeated candidates to change constituencies for the second round, were illegal.

Thaworn said he wanted a precedent to be set on electoral management because the EC had heightened voter discontent by making decisions seen as favouring the Thai Rak Thai Party to help them overcome the 20-per-cent rule.

After the ruling party candidates failed to muster the support of 20 per cent of eligible voters to declare victory in the unopposed race, the EC went out of its way to help prop up additional candidates, he said.

He also said he would oppose bail applications by the four defendants to speed up trial proceedings.

The detention of the four defendants might also prevent them causing damage in the next election, he added.