EC may not allow a complaint withdrawn on the Chiang Rai case

"Nornally the courts would allow the cancellation of cases involving individual crimes but not those crimes against the state," he said.

Sumeth said the EC would factor in the report on the case from its investigative panel headed by former judge Suwit Theerapong before drawing any conclusion.

"The probe is almost complete with only one witness left to give statement," he said, hinting that the outcome of the probe should be ready within this week.

Chart Thai candidate Wichit Yodsuwan initated the probe by complaining that People Power Party deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat committed fraud to sway votes in Chiang Rai as a partylist candidate for Zone 1.

Should Yongyuth be red carded, his offence might be the grounds for his party's disbandment.

In a twist, Wichit abruptly cancelled his complaint on Monday as a goodwill gesture because Chart Thai is about to join the coalition allinace led by People Power.

Chart Thai deputy leader Nikorn Chamnong said his party had no involvement in Wichit's actions to complain and then drop charges against Yongyuth.

"Wichit acted in his personal capacity and did not represent the party's stand," he said.

He denied his party had colluded with People Power to cover up the electoral fraud in exchange for joining the coalition.

Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thuagsuban said the EC was obliged to complete the investigation into the fraud involving Yongyuth. An unjustified drop of charges might hold the five EC members liable for negligence to perform their job, he said.

"The failure to do the job could cause the EC members to serve time in jail," he said.

Regardless of whether the original complaint remains intact, the investigation has already uncovered sufficient evidence to suspect wrongdoing and the EC must wrap up the case, he said.

Another Democrat Thaworn Senniam called on the EC to check into Wichit's aboutturn.

The Nation