"We want to see the new election held as planned on October 15," Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters. "If the election is to be postponed, we would need a good reason [from the government]."

The three parties; Democrat Mahachon and Chat Thai, had boycotted the April 2 election after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called House dissolution, saying the call was unconstitutional. Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party won the election only to be found that Constitution Court annulled the election in June.

Abhisit was speaking after joining a working lunch with Mahachon leader Gen Sanan Kojornprasart, and Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa.

Saying the Opposition parties will contest in the new election of October 15, Sanan Abhisit said that new government formed after October 15 should be temporary and tasked only with overseeing political reform.

"After the reforms the new election must be held quickly for the new (permanent) government," said Sanan Kachornprasart, leader of the Mahachon Party.

Three election officials resigned last week after they were jailed for illegally aiding Thaksin's party during controversial elections earlier this year.

The process of selecting new commissioners is underway with the Supreme Court considering a list of 10 candidates, who will be presented to a Senate panel on August 10. The lawmakers will then choose five people to sit on the commission.

Meanwhile Thaksin played down the calls from the opposition. He said the new election date was decided by the king and it is important for every party involved to move toward this direction.

"Whether the new government would be temporary or for a full four-year term would be decided by what best benefits the Thai people."

The Nation