The secretary-general of the embattled Election Commission (EC) yesterday insisted that all three remaining commissioners would supervise the October 15 general election, despite calls for them to quit.

Ekkachai Warunprapha said the EC would definitely go ahead with its preparations to hold the polls because His Majesty the King had already approved the election date.

"Once the Royal Decree on the new election was issued, no EC commissioner was going to step down," he said.

"I think some 60 million Thais still support the EC, even though five million might not like us. Given this, we shall just listen to the majority."

The EC will tomorrow hold a press conference to clarify its preparations for the next polls. Originally the EC had five members, but one seat was vacant when it supervised the April 2 election, which was later nullified by the Constitution Court.

After the court's ruling, a commissioner resigned, leaving only three members, including chairman Vasana Puemlarp. All three have been under severe pressure to quit in the last three months, with the judiciary calling on them to step down to open the way for the appointment of five new commissioners.

Yongkiat Adisettakul, head of the EC's legal office, said all three commissioners could still do their task, even though the law stipulated that at least four out of five commissioners are required to form the EC's quorum.

Earlier, Suchon Chaleekrua, caretaker president of the Senate, said existing members of the EC seemed to have lost their legitimacy to oversee the election.

The opposition Democrat Party also repeated its call for the three to step down so that five new commissioners could be appointed to ensure that the next election was free and fair.

However, Thaksin Shinawatra, the embattled prime minister, yesterday insisted that all that was needed was two new commissioners to work with the three existing ones.

Thaksin also declined to be specific when asked if he would take a break from politics after the election.

"I have yet to learn how to type," he said, side-stepping the direct question on his future.

Thaksin was quick, however, to urge his opponents to put animosities behind them and help him to push forward the electoral process. He said the EC could function properly even if it had only one member left.

"The EC will be assisted by PollWatch, an independent watchdog for free and fair polls," he said.

He also argued that the Supreme Court should nominate EC candidates to fill two vacant seats without delay, instead of demanding a complete revamp after the departure of incumbent members.

Responding to His Majesty the King's advice that the new election should be free and fair, he said he was going to be an electoral candidate and was not in a position to comment on electoral rules.

Before giving his interview, he used his weekly radio address to call on relevant parties to ensure a successful outcome to the new election.

"His Majesty the King has approved the date for the new election in a Royal Decree and attached a royal message for a free and fair poll that is expected to restore normalcy as soon as possible," he said.

Opposing sides should reconcile because social divisions had deepened to an alarming degree, he said.

"This is a time for reconciliation under democratic rule with the King as head of state, and everyone should abide by the people's decision as shown through their ballots," he said.

With regard to the job status of the three EC members, Thai Rak Thai Party legal adviser Wichit Plangsrisakul said he foresaw no legal hurdles that would prevent the three from performing their duties.

On Tuesday the Criminal Court will hand down a verdict in a malfeasance case against the EC, he said. If the three EC members are found guilty, they are entitled to appeal, and their jobs will not be affected pending the review, he added.

Furthermore, the EC has a quorum to manage the polls, despite speculation to the contrary, he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party was ready to contest the new election as per the royal advice.

"The three EC members should rethink their determination to cling to office," he said.

Abhisit said that out of four parties holding seats in the last Parliament, three questioned the credibility and impartiality of the EC.

"My party's stand is clear: the three EC members should go," he said.

Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said the EC had not been impartial towards his party and should be revamped completely in order to ensure fairness.

Supreme Court judge Wicha Mahakhun said the court would have a month to fill vacant seats if the three EC members decided to resign.

At issue is how to ensure a free and fair election, and the court has sufficient time to ponder how to deal with the EC, Wicha said, so that there will be no hasty decision on whether to fill the two vacant seats.