Senatorial candidate Ubonsak Bualuang-ngam, second left, gestures during a press conference at the Parliament building called by a group of candidates yesterday who want the Election Commission to halt the endorsement of newly elected senators.

Seven representatives of a "network of senatorial candidates" said the EC failed to investigate cheating allegations from the April 19 senatorial election.

The group said it would submit evidence to the EC by May 18.

Lop Buri candidate Ubonsak Bualuang-ngam said: "We will meet Senate candidates from around the country on May 15 at 1pm at the Royal Hotel, to collect complaints and evidence. If the EC does nothing, we will file complaints of malfeasance to the Administrative, Constitution and Supreme courts."

Ubonsak said the group had no fear of being labelled embittered failed candidates and dared the electoral victors to swear they had won transparently.

He said several candidates broke electoral rules by having their candidate numbers printed in a larger type size on their posters than their adversaries had. The EC had not investigated subsequent complaints, although the technique appeared to benefit particular candidates, he said.

Senate candidates joining the group included Panachai Tayanan of Lop Buri and Buri Ram's Prasert Lerdyaso, Thongchai Anantakul and Atit Yutthaseree.

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation