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"The EC has ruled that Chart Thai candidate Wichit Yodsuwan has no justification to withdraw his complaint against Yongyuth," EC member Somchai Juengprasert said.

Under the election law, Wichit cannot cancel his compliant once legal proceedings have been initiated, Somchai said.

In the case involving Yongyuth, Special Branch investigators have filed a report outlining causes to suspect foul play and the EC subsequently appointed a special investigative panel led by former judge Suwit Theerapong to look into the matter, he said.

Somchai also warned that Yongyuth faced mandatory suspension from his post if the Supreme Court ruled to launch a judicial review of the case. Parliamentary immunity does not apply to legal proceedings related to the electoral process, he said.

The Suwit panel is expected to complete its report by next week. Yongyuth is scheduled to give his rebuttals soon after conducting the crucial House session to elect the prime minister on Monday.

Yongyuth is accused of votebuying through kamnan and village headmen in Chiang Rai to sway proportionate votes for Zone 1.

If the EC rules to suspect guilt, it is obliged to prosecute him in the Supreme Court as well as initiate separate proceedings to determine whether the wrongdoing was linked to the People Power Party, which could lead to the party's dissolution.