EC declines ruling on PM, Chai

Suraphong produced a photograph of Abhisit embracing Newin after he was elected in Parliament on Monday as evidence, saying it was proof needed to catch the "thief".

He said Abhisit breached electoral law by meeting other banned politicians such as Banharn Silpa-archa, former leader of the now dissolved Chart Thai Party and Suwat Liptapanlop. His actions breached Articles 94 and 95 of the 2007 charter.

"The action is anti-democratic," he told reporters. "[It's] a threat to national security."

Suraphong also asked the Election Commission to rule on whether House Speaker Chai Chidchob lost his status due to the ruling by the Constitution Court to dissolve People Power Party, as Chai was a party-list MP. If he did, Suraphong said Monday's vote to select Abhisit should be regarded as invalid.

Sources within the Election Commission said it would be more appropriate for the Constitution Court to rule on the two matters.

Somchai Juengprasert, who is in charge of the EC's investigation unit said he personally thought Chai would not have lost his status as MP and Speaker of the House, as there should be no distinction between party-list and constituency-based MPs.