Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asserted the next election must be held on October 15.

The Senate meets on Tuesday to appoint a panel of 22 members to assess 10 candidates for the five vacant Election Commission positions.

The Supreme Court will submit its list of those 10 names tomorrow.

Surachai said the Senate would not bow to pressure to elect commissioners simply so a general election could be held on October 15.

"We do not have a duty to organise an election but we have a duty to nominate the most suitable commissioners. If we cannot complete that duty in time, then so be it,'' he said.

Outgoing Senator Wallop Tangkhananurak said under normal circumstances voting for a new commission would take five to six months.

But, the Senate understood the political situation was not normal and would try to expedite the process.

"The panel will meet every day including Saturday and Sunday but if it does not finish then it does not finish,'' he said.

Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua said it was up to the Senate to decide how long it would take to assess the commission candidates.

He rejected criticism that he was pro-government and denied reports some senators had been lobbied to vote for National Counter Corruption Commissioners favoured by the government.