Two opposition politicians have called for three remaining members of the Election Commission (EC) to step aside immediately with no preconditions, saying the new election will remain uncertain for as long as they cling to office.

"The EC should depart now instead of trying to strike a deal with the Supreme Court," Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Suthep said EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp had made no sense when he offered on Friday to step down in exchange for the high court naming candidates to fill two vacant seats in the EC before his departure.

Suthep said the EC was in no position to negotiate its exit.

"The EC has lost credibility to manage the polls, and prospects for the new election look bleak on its watch," he said.

The leaders of three top courts called in May for a revamp of the EC, and the high court refused to nominate EC candidates until the three incumbent members resigned.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said he was uncertain if the new election could happen under the supervision of the incumbent EC.

"The EC has no excuse to stay on, and its departure will clear up the poll uncertainty," he said.

Vasana has no justification in citing his backlog of endorsing results of the senatorial race as a reason not to quit, he said. The newly elected senators cannot assume office before the completion of the general election, and Vasana's refusal to resign is the main hurdle to the new poll, he added.

The embattled Vasana said yesterday he would go to court on July 25 to hear the verdict on the case filed against him for neglect of duty.

"I have explained my side of the story to the court. If the court rules that I am guilty, I shall have to seek bail to fight the case in the upper courts.

"If I am granted bail, I shall still be able to perform my duty. If not, the whole thing will be over," he said.

Vasana was accused of malfeasance in allowing the registration of additional candidates for the inconclusive April 2 election.