"Thaksin is at the centre of the political crisis, and I personally believe he will exit following the new election on October 15," Wissanu said.

He said it remained uncertain how Thaksin would time his break, speculating that preparations for the new election and the judicial review on the electoral-fraud case - punishable by party dissolution - would be crucial for Thaksin's decision.

Commenting on the future of Thai politics, Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party deputy leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan said she might retire if the ruling party was dissolved by the court order.

"Well, I might just quit playing," she said.

Sudarat also expressed concern that the revamping of the Election Commission might not be successful if the Senate relied on the tactic of block voting to nominate five new commissioners.

"Should the new EC fail to be impartial to political parties, then there will be nothing to safeguard a free and fair election," she said.

Supreme Court secretary-general Wirat Chinwinijkul said Sudarat's concern about the block vote might be unwarranted.

The Supreme Court is in charge of short-listing 10 of 42 candidates for the Senate to eventually pick five for the job, he said, adding that none of the candidates would have political ties, so it was a moot point to discuss the block vote.

EC candidate Preecha Pitanont said he was certain the Senate would collude and fix the voting on candidates even though the Supreme Court had screened them to ensure fairness.

The Supreme Court is expected to forward the names of 10 candidates to the Senate on Thursday.

Commenting on the Senate proceedings to vet the EC candidates, Senator Surachai Danaitangtrakul said the chairmen of 22 Senate committees would meet on Tuesday to initiate necessary preparations.

"By Friday each committee will name its representative to scrutinise the EC candidates, and the vetting could start right away," he said.

The Senate should begin the selection debate on August 15 and will vote on five EC nominations for royal approval after reviewing the vetted qualifications, he said.

Caretaker Senator Chirmsak Pinthong said the new elec-

tion should be postponed instead of pushing for hasty EC nominations.

"The rush to hold the new election will result in the Thai Rak Thai Party's return to power," Chirmsak said.

Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua acted suspiciously in trying to speed up the vetting of EC candidates, he said.

Even though the new election commissioners may be beyond reproach, they will not be able to organise a free and fair election because of rogue officials appointed by their convicted predecessors, he said.

He called for more time for the EC to reform its personnel before the new election.