Alleged supporters of the EC launched physical attacks and destroyed a stage set up by people calling for the three remaining commissioners to quit.

The situation worsened when EC supporters physically assaulted a female reporter and cameramen from The Nation Channel.

One female "supporter" tried to hit the reporter with an umbrella and accused her of being biased against the government and the EC. Others from her group threw water bottles at cameramen from the channel.

The attack on the TV crew prompted policemen, who had been standing by idly, to intervene. But some police simply left the scene before the fight was stopped. They said it was the end of their shift.

Some 700 supporters travelled from Chantaburi province, the hometown of EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp, to give him moral support. They presented flowers, fruit and replicas of King Taksin, King Naresuan and the Emerald Buddha to the EC chief.

Vasana greeted them emotionally, hugging the group leader, who appeared to be his kin, and weeping in response to their show of support. He declared to all that he would continue to honestly do his duty for the country.

However, responding to reporters' questions about the mounting pressure for him to step down, Vasana hinted he planned to resign - eventually.

"I certainly think about it. I'm just a human being. But I was elected through a legitimate selection process according to the Constitution ... I won't tell you when [I would step down] but you'll know when the time arrives," Vasana told reporters.

Picha Jitsilp, a lawyer who was among Vasana's supporters, questioned the Constitution Court's authority to nullify the April 2 snap election.

"I'll file the case with the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Administrative Court to investigate whether the Constitution Court interfered with the EC's democratic duty," the lawyer said.

There was another heated clash when the group prepared to leave the compound, with supporters verbally abusing opponents, including members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and ripping down their posters and banners.

The event stirred interest from pedestrians and motorists on Rama I Road, causing a traffic jam.

The PAD anti-government group, whose mass protests earlier this year pressured Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down, announced plans yesterday to stage a rally on Monday to pressure the commission to resign.

Ayutthayuth Butrsriphum

The Nation