He was commenting after the caretaker government said it would forward the proposed military reshuffle for royal approval without the EC's involvement.

"It has to follow the Constitution. During [the tenure of] the caretaker government all senior positions must be vetted by the EC," he said.

Prapan said he and his colleagues would consider the proposed list of military promotions after they have been endorsed.

The five new election commissioners will today hold their first meeting to select a chairman and then discuss the postponement of the scheduled poll date of October 15.

Apichat Sukhakkanon is expected to be elected chairman on the recommendation of Sumet Oupanisakorn.

Sumet said on Tuesday Apichat should be chosen as chairman as he was the most senior of the five newly elected commissioners.

Apichat, 60, is a former chief justice of the Environment Division of the Supreme Court, while Sumet, 68, is a former senior judge of the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court.

Sumet said yesterday the EC secretary-general's position was open for appointment. However, he had not yet discussed the issue with the others.

A source at the commission said any one of the five new commissioners could be elected as the chairman. There was no tradition to choose the most senior member.

The EC chair wields considerable power. He or she has the final say on whether an election candidate was to be disqualified and could recommend the dissolution of a political party to the Constitution Court.

The source said besides selecting the chairman, the commissioners would discuss postponing the October 15 election.

"We have two choices for rescheduling [the poll]. Either November 19 or 26," the source said.

The meeting would be held at Parliament. After the chairman was selected, the commissioners would then visit the EC office where their responsibilities would be explained to them.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation