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Published on December 20, 2007

"The EC has done everything by the book and is ready to defend itself if summoned by the Administrative Court," EC member Sumeth Ubanisakorn said in reference to the petition challenging its supervision.

The Central Administrative Court is expected to decide today whether to accept a lawsuit filed by two political parties to scrap the election on grounds that advance voting was illegally organised by the EC.

New Aspiration Party secretary-general Sarawut Thong-pen, NAP party-list candidate Surasi Patham and Pracharat Party party-list candidate Thanomsak Nualset on Tuesday alleged the EC had no jurisdiction to organise the December 15-16 advance poll.

The suit said none of the concerned laws - the Election Commission Act, the MP and Senator Election Act - allowed the EC to organise an advance election. Article 99 of the Constitution also does not stipulate advance elections outside constituencies.

They accused the EC of managing the election at a whim and violating the law, thus making the advance poll invalid. To prevent further damage to the state, the group has asked the court to declare the EC's order to hold election on December 23 null and void. The group has also asked the court for an injunction, ordering the EC to suspend all election affairs until a verdict has been reached.

Meanwhile, junta leader Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukpha-suk yesterday shrugged off speculation about delayed balloting and said any attempts to postpone the voting was nothing but a publicity stunt.

"I don't know if the move to postpone the voting is actually meant for grabbing attention," he said in reference to NAP's petition for intervention to cancel the advance voting.

The NAP's litigation is seen as a last-ditch attempt to reschedule the Sunday ballot.

Chalit said he was optimistic the electoral process would proceed as planned. He also repeated his stand that the military and the bureaucracy would remain neutral. "I think the silent majority have already decided whether to elect a leader who brings about prosperity or the return of someone who inflicts damages."

The Nation