The candidates were campaigning hard to get selected and some judges were avoiding meeting candidates by not attending the court, the judge, who declined to be named, said

"Some candidates met judges directly and asked for their vote. Some brought other judges to lobby the judges. Some came to submit copies of certificates that show their credentials,'' he said.

The judge was sure the Supreme Court would select candidates fairly. There had been no interference or influence over the judges' decisions, he said.

Supreme Court judges found it hard to check the backgrounds of candidates whose occupation was not the law, he said.

They did not know if the candidates had political connections. Some candidates had close ties with the previous Election Commis-sioners and some had connections with political parties.

Caretaker Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua yesterday asked the public to send in any information they may have on candidates for the new Election Commission.

There are 42 names to fill the five commission spots. The Supreme Court will narrow the field to 10 names. The Senate votes for the final five. Suchon was positive about the overall quality of the candidates.

The public can send information on candidates to post office box 45, Parliament Bangkok 10305, or via the Upper House website (www.senate.go.th). Informants' names will be kept confidential.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed confidence the court would pick people with integrity to sit on the EC.

"I suggest that the public take part in checking the election and not think that it is exclusively the responsibility of the five commissioners,'' he said.

Caretaker Senator Chirmsak Pinthong said he was content with the candidates but it remained to be seen who the final five would be.

"The work of the EC requires a unanimous vote. If there are one or two questionable commissioners, it is hard to get the work done,'' he said.

He was worried the selection process was being rushed. "If we rush we may not get people who are free from political connection and influence,'' he said.

Chirmsak called for a restructuring of the whole EC.

He said the previous commission had appointed staff loyal to it. "If there is no restructuring of the whole system, the selection of new commissioners is just a whitewash,'' he said.

He said he was worried there would be bloc voting in the Senate similar to that for the National Counter Corruption Commission candidates.