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Sodsri said Samut Prakan province would likely see the fiercest struggle given its history of petitions about electoral fraud. However, she predicted that the snap election, to take place in 26 districts of 22 provinces and with 29 seats up for grabs, would be largely free and fair. She expected a 70-per-cent voter turnout next Sunday.

To remove the misperception that running for election is not open to ordinary citizens and had become the monopoly of a few, the Election Commission is planning to form an institute called the Political Party and Election Institute to educate the public and better prepare them to contest the polls.

The snap elections will be monitored by few observers as it will only take place in 22 provinces. The day will also see a snap election for Bangkok governor, and Sodsri said the EC was prepared and would be impartial in organising it. The first day of early voting for next Sunday's by-elections saw a low turnout yesterday, except in Buri Ram, where almost 10,000 exercised their rights.

Thawee Chunkoh, the election director of Buri Ram, said yesterday that the voter turnout was a new record. In previous elections never more than 2,000 people had cast their ballots in early voting in the northeastern province. He admitted that due to a limited number of officials the process was slow, which led to complaints by angry voters who had to wait longer than expected.

However, only small numbers of voters turned out on the first day of early voting in other provinces, including Ang Thong, Lamphun, Lampang, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok's Bang Bon constituency.