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"The EC wants every electoral official to be strictly neutral and refrain from doing anything to favour or disfavour candidates," EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said.

EC member Prapun Naigowit urged government officials to help raising awareness on absentee voting. The registration of the advance balloting for absentee voters is in progress but not many have availed themselves to the service, he said.

Another EC member Somchai Juengprasert said he was concerned about international reaction to the outcome if the polls were plagued by fraud.

"Thailand needs the international approval for a free and fair election in order to bring about a successful restoration of democratic rule and a resumption of political normalisation," he said.

He said the country would remain an outcast for mired outcome.

The EC will likely send out invitations for international observers via some 40 embassies based in Bangkok. The observers are expected to abide by precedents and regulations set in past elections.

Some 200,000 policemen will be mobilised to keep peace at polling stations. The police forces will also assist the EC in fighting money politics and other campaign violations.

EC secretary general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn said nine suppliers were bidding to print the ballots.

"The contract will be awarded via a transparent bidding process," he said.

The ballots must be ready in time for the start of absentee voting on December 15 at 157 central polling stations and at Thai embassies and consulates.