The defence told the court that it would produce no more witnesses other than the three commissioners, who testified in their own defence on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In his lawsuit, Democrat Party executive Thaworn Senniam accused Election Commission chairman Vasana Puemlarp and members Prinya Nakchudtree and Charupat Ruangsuwan of mismanaging the April 2 snap election and illegally permitting new candidates to run in a second round of voting held in several constituencies on April 23.

The court asked for their closing statements by July 17.

Judging from the commissioners' testimonies, Thaworn said, they had tried to convince the three parties boycotting the April 2 election to change their minds. It appeared the EC was attempting to help the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party to avoid the 20-per-cent rule, he said. Candidates running unopposed must win 20 per cent of the vote. Defence lawyers said they believed the commissioners' testimonies covered all their arguments.

Vasana stood firm with his testimony given to the court on Tuesday. He was reacting to a claim by Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban that Vasana committed perjury when he told the court the EC offered to reschedule the April 2 balloting if the Democrats called off their boycott.

Mahachon Party deputy leader Akrapol Sorasuchart disputed Prinya's testimony that Mahachon was also approached with a similar offer before the election.