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Published on January 14, 2008

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn said he had instructed the EC's Law and Litigation Office to decide on whether to probe Somchai over the leak.

The investigation would not have a timeframe and the fact-finding panel would not be forced to make a conclusion.

Weera Somkwamkid, secretary-general of the People's Network Against Corruption, last week filed a complaint with the EC accusing Somchai of leaking an investigative report to Yongyuth that led to witnesses being intimidated.

Yongyuth is facing an investigation by the EC over alleged involvement in vote-buying in Chiang Rai.

Yongyuth will today file a complaint seeking to transfer Chiang Rai police chief Pol Maj-General Songtham Alapat and a police officer during the fraud probe against him.

Suthiphon said the EC did not have authority to transfer police. If Yongyuth requested the move, the EC would consider whether the government officials were biased and forward the matter to relevant agencies.

Yongyuth will tomorrow give a to an EC sub-committee headed by Suwit Theerapong.

The committee will decide if Yongyuth can examine a VCD that may be used as evidence in the case against him.

Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit said the EC had not set a timeframe for the Suwit panel to complete its investigation by January 21.

"We will not interfere with the investigation. This is a delicate case,'' he said.

The Nation