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Published on January 16, 2008

The verdict is expected to have a crucial bearing on the convening of Parliament on Monday.

Democrat candidate Chaiwat Sinsuwong petitioned for the judicial review on four legal issues. These include the validity of advance votes cast on December 15-16 and the status of People Power as a nominee and whether its leader Samak Sundaravej was proxy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was barred last May from political activity for five years. Under the election laws, the balloting outcome might be cancelled if the winning party or its leader is found to have acted as a proxy for the banned political leader.

The conviction could also lead to a move to have the party disbanded in the Constitution Court - as happened to Thaksin's former Thai Rak Thai party.

In yesterday's hearing, the Supreme Court completed its examination of evidence but ruled out hearing testimonies on grounds that the case involved legal interpretations of relevant provisions.

It allowed disputed parties to submit additional arguments until Thursday.

The Nation