Members of the Election Commission have been accused of malfeasance, dereliction of duty and abuse of power. The court set July 20 as the first day of the trial proper.

The charges were brought against the commissioners by Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.

They relate to alleged payments from the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party to smaller parties to contest the April 2 poll, which the courts annulled. Suthep alleges the commission delayed investigations into the alleged bankrolling.

The court denied a prosecution request to include evidence collected by retired judge Nam Yimyaem's probe of the affair.

In a related development, Suthep yesterday sought a court order for the EC to provide copies of its instructions to appoint a panel to investigate the party and of the panel's report, as ordered by the Criminal Court.

Suthep said he would file a complaint with the court if the EC didn't comply.