Constitution Court secretary-general Paiboon Warahapaitoon said yesterday that the top court had accepted the Senate’s appeal for a ruling on the qualifications of the five nominees for the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Paiboon Warahapaiboon said the 15 judges voted unanimously to accept the case after Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua had asked them to rule on a conflict with its NCCC selection panel.

The Constitution states anti-graft commissioners must have held the rank of director-general, or the equivalent, in the civil service.

The selection panel considered the five nominees as qualified, but the Senate questioned the definition of "equivalent" and asked Suchon to seek a ruling.

Constitution Court President Ura Wang-orm-Klang said the court would begin considering the case on September 4.

The five nominees in question are NESDB deputy secretary-general Santi Bangor, Deputy Auditor-General Sajja Sasanawin, Basic Education Commission deputy secretary-general Areerat Watanasin, National Police Commission assistant commissioner Lt-General Wanchai Srinualnad and former Suan Sunantha Rajabhat Univer-sity rector Dilok Bunruangrod.

Judges Sutee Suthisomboon and Suwan Suwanvecho withdrew from hearing the case, Paiboon said. They decided not to get involved in the case as they had been questioned by some senators over their qualifications under the definition of "equivalent" to the rank of director-general in the civil service when they took office early this year, he said.