The panel is investigating charges raised by the Thai Rak Thai Party that the Democrats had tried to thwart the April 2 general election by hiring small parties to boycott the election and by hiring two of them to frame Thai Rak Thai.

"The case should be wrapped up this week," the source said.

Another panel earlier concluded that the Thai Rak Thai had paid small parties to run in the election, with the EC endorsing its findings and submitting the report to the Attorney-General's Office.

The source said he believed Thai Rak Thai would be acquitted as the investigation was focused only on the party's deputy leader, General Thamarak Isarangura.

The source added that EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp wanted to resign but could not do so now because he had yet to finish writing reports on many election-related cases in which the EC had reached a verdict.

The source said the EC had made decisions on some local election cases but had yet to compile reports to back them up, which would be used if some disqualified candidates sued the EC in court.

Speculation is rife that Vasana will resign before October 15, the tentative date of the next election.

When asked to confirm or deny the speculation, Vasana replied: "Today is a holiday so I don't want to talk. Let me rest."