PM guarantees full cooperation with EC

He said his interim government would maintain strict neutrality to the race.

"I will end my Poed Baan Phitasanulok programme next week because the campaigning has started," he said in reference to his last weekly address in order to allocate air time for the EC to raise awareness on the general election.

Surayud said government officials would pass on complaints about alleged campaign offences to the EC and the police to take action while informants would enjoy the protection of his government and every agency concerned.

"I recommend that tipsoff should be made via telephone calls in order to ensure anonymity," he said.

He urged political parties to sway votes by policies instead of underhanded tactics.

In regard to the enforcement of martial law during the leadup to the December 23 election, the National Security Council (NSC) has yet to draw conclusion on how best to scale down the areas under draconian security measures.

The Cabinet last week instructed the NSC to review the enforcement on the districtbydistrict basis so as to minimise the areas within the 27 provinces under martial law. The number of provinces were already reduced from 35.

Security officials said the Army has cited new development in border districts which, if placed under martial, will increase the provinces affected to 31 although the total areas would not change significantly.

The NSC will unlikely be able to finalise its recommendations within the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday as has been expected.