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Published on January 17, 2008

"Although the Council for National Security has hinted that Samak is unacceptable for the job, I think People Power should not waver in its stand in order to uphold the campaign pledge on leadership," he said.

Should the party compromise and replace Samak, this would erode the public's trust, he said.

Chaturon added that he opposed any attempts by military leaders to meddle in the naming of the prime minister and members of a People Power coalition Cabinet.

He argued that he had no personal interest in supporting Samak but wanted to uphold democratic principles, including the precedent for the winning party's leader to lead the coalition.

Chaturon went on to call on the Election Commission to endorse the balloting outcome of all 480 House seats instead of a partial endorsement of 95 per cent, accounting for 456 seats, the minimum number required for the convening of Parliament scheduled for Monday.

Most of the 24 unendorsed seats belong to MPs-elect from People Power and this might distort the majority voting required to elect the prime minister, he said.

The Nation