The arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday.

The litigation was initiated by Democrat Party deputy secretary general Thaworn Senniam.

In its list of defendants, the court singled out EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp and three EC members, Prinya Nakchudtree, Virachai Naewboonnien and Jarupat Ruangsuwan.

Although Jarupat resigned his office last Monday, he would be tried for alleged violations committed before.

In his plaintiff writ, Thaworn named the EC and EC secretary general Ekachai Warunprapha as potential defendants. The court ruled that the two had no bearing on the case.

For commencing trial, the court said it found cause to suspect the four defendants for involving in criminal and electoral violations stemming from the management of the repeat vote.

The upcoming trial will focus on the four defendants' management of the repeat vote for 38 constituencies located in 15 provinces.

A key legal question is whether the decision to allow the additional registration triggered candidacy frauds by candidates running in multi-constituencies between the April 2 election and the repeat vote.

Thaworn said he wanted to set precedents on the electoral management because the EC had heightened voter's discontent by its decision seen as favourable to the Thai Rak Thai Party to overcome the 20-per cent rule.

After the ruling party's candidates failed to muster the support of 20 per cent of eligible voters to declare victory in the unopposed race, the EC went out of its way to help propping up additional candidates, he said.

He also said he would oppose bail applications from the four defendants on grounds that they should be locked up to speed up the trial proceedings. The detention of the four defendants might prevent them for causing damage to the new election, he added.

The Nation