Facing mounting legal, political and social pressure, EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp yesterday submitted the EC's opinion on the Thai Rak Thai case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

He endorsed an EC fact-finding committee's report that accused the ruling party of violating the Constitution, saying its conduct was causing instability.

OAG spokesman Atthaphol Yaisawang said an OAG committee, led by the department's deputy chief Chaikasem Nithisiri, will meet today at 12.30pm to discuss the case. If the committee reaches a conclusion, it can forward the case to the Constitution Court immediately.

Accused of hiring minor parties to provide "fake" competition at the opposition-boycotted April 2 general election, Thai Rak Thai could be dissolved by the Constitution Court.

The EC tried to keep its verdict secret and the Thai Rak Thai legal team claimed the decision was rushed.

Atthaphol said Vasana, as the political party registrar, had submitted the EC's recommendation to the OAG. In the recommendation, the EC found Thai Rak Thai violated Section 66 (1) and (3) of the Constitution by hiring minor parties to run in April to avoid the rule that unchallenged candidates had to win at least 20 per cent of the vote.

EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa said Vasana had submitted the EC's verdict but would not make the findings public as the legal process was still active.

"It can be revealed only when the Constitution Court finds its ruling," he said.

Ekachai said the EC had carried out its responsibilities legally without bias.

An EC source said the commissioners asked the OAG to keep its findings confidential.

Thai Rak Thai legal adviser Kudeb Saikrachang yesterday accused the EC of rushing its decision, claiming the commission had not summoned the party leader Thaksin Shinawatra to testify.

The EC sub-committee, headed by former Supreme Court deputy president Nam Yimyaem, recommended the EC interrogate the Thai Rak Thai leadership before forwarding the case to the OAG. But the Nam report was sent to the OAG without giving its conclusions and without questioning Thai Rak Thai bosses.

"As the EC are calling us guilty without summoning our leader, it suggests they are not confident about our guilt," Kudeb said, adding the commissioners should be held responsible for any mistakes in the report.

He said the party's legal team would study the verdict and prepare for a legal battle if the Constitution Court takes the case to trial.

Another Thai Rak Thai lawyer Kamol Bandaipetch said the legal act against the party was not based on solid evidence consistent with election law.

Minor party candidates seen in controversial video footage from the Defence Ministry with deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Thamarak Isarangura, all denied any involvement, Kamol said.

He said an entire party should not face ruin just because of one executive's guilt.

The party sent information to the EC but the commissioners bowed to pressure and ignored the party's defence, Kamol said.

However, Thai Rak Thai deputy spokesman Pimuk Simaroj said the party would listen to the OAG's judgement.

Party bosses had not discussed the possibility that the party would be dissolved as there would many legal hurdles to negotiate first.

Thamarak has not resigned and the party members are not worried about the case, he added.