"Senators are grown-ups. I think they won't do anything inappropriate," he said.

Nam said he had no cause to suspect the Thai Rak Thai Party of trying to undermine the appointment process, adding he was more concerned about taking office than worrying about trying to secure the job.

"The five new commissioners will have to bear huge public expectations and face a short deadline to organise the new election by October 15," he said.

In his view, the election should be postponed by 30 to 45 days in order to allow time for the new commissioners to get used to their jobs.

He said he anticipated the new commissioners would want to rectify any flaws in the EC's administrative structure before organising the new election.

Nam is one of 10 candidates shortlisted by the Supreme Court from among whom the Senate has to select five and forward their names for royal appointment. The Senate is scheduled to start debating the selection today.

Commenting on his investigation to uncover the electoral fraud in the April 2 election, he said he was not prejudice against the ruling party.

The entire 19-member investigative panel, not he alone, was responsible for the findings on electoral fraud, he said.

"If appointed to the EC, I will do my job with impartiality," he said.

Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Pongthep Thepkanchana said he saw no justification for delaying the election.

Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong might have been confused when he suggested a postponement, Pongthep said.

Snoh said on Sunday that the royal decree on the new election, which takes effect on August 24, would be cancelled automatically if the Senate could not appoint the new EC by that date, which would push back the election.

Pongthep countered that the appointment of the EC and the election date were separate issues, arguing that the royal decree could take effect with or without the commissioners in office.

He said new commissioners might not need time to study their job as Nam suggested because they could familiarise themselves with their duties during the appointment process.

He also denied his ruling party would push for bloc voting on the EC appointments.

"The Supreme Court has screened the 10 candidates, including eight judges, hence there can be no difference in qualifications between one candidate and another," he said.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said he remained optimistic that the Senate could fill the five EC posts ahead of the election.

The upper chamber should be able to name five EC nominees for royal approval in a week, Banharn said, anticipating that the royal command appointing the five commissioners would be issued around August 22.

He said he disagreed with the call to reschedule the election.

"Some parties want to revamp the EC personnel, but this would cause an undue delay of about six months," he said, adding the courts could be asked to assist the EC in supervising the polls.

He said relevant parties should be reminded that any delay would fuel political uncertainty, which in turn would affect investor confidence.