The Asset Examination Com-mittee (AEC) could name those it considers warrant deeper scrutiny, according to chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday.

Three AEC panels would report results of preliminary investigations into alleged irregularities in government projects.

The AEC would vote to decide if evidence gathered carried enough weight to file formal complaints.

Nam explained allegations needed to receive the votes of more than six committee members to proceed.

He said if evidence failed to meet standards of proof investigating panels would be told to dig deeper. Where facts were clear, the committee would appoint sub-committees to conduct fuller probes.

Meanwhile, secretary-general of the suspended Constitution Court Paiboon Warahapaiboon dismissed a report quoting Constitution Tribunal judge Thanit Kesawapithak saying the new body would hear cases adopted by the Constitution Court against political parties alleged to have violated poll laws in the April election.

Paiboon said the Constitution Tribunal was yet to decide the cases it would hear and would not do so until this week. Member ML Krai-rirk Kasemsant said tribunal chairman and Supreme Court president Panya Thanomrawd would decide the time frame of court meetings.

Member and former Supreme Court justice Nurak Mapraneet denied feeling pressure trying political cases saying he had worked almost 30 years in the field.

Thanit expressed confidence and said his appointment came without strings.

"I do not have to make pay back in return for any favours owed to politicians so I feel no pressure,'' he said.

He added all tribunal members were familiar with one another and adopted similar principles when interpreting the law.