POST REPORTERS

It's crunch day for the opposition, with the Election Commission (EC) set to call three winning Democrat candidates to rebut allegations of electoral irregularities.

A red card for any of them would be a major setback for their party's hopes of forming an effective opposition to the government in parliament.

The three Democrats to face the grilling by the EC are Akhom Engchuan, who won in Krabi's constituency 1; Pichet Panvichartkul, of Krabi's constituency 2; and Pramet Potharakul, who captured Kanchanaburi's constituency 3.

A Thai Rak Thai candidate, Saritpong Kiewkong, accused Mr Akhom and Mr Pichet of mudslinging. Mr Saritpong alleged the two Democrats made a false claim during a campaign rally that a cabinet minister from Thai Rak Thai channelled money from the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly to build a mosque.

Mr Pichet said he would sue Thai Rak Thai list MP Wan Mohammad Nor Matha in connection with the mudslinging allegation unless he apologised.

Mr Pichet said a tape recording Mr Wan Nor presented to the EC as evidence had been doctored.

Mr Pramet is alleged to have been concurrently a member of two parties, which is against the election law.

EC secretary-general Ekkachai Varunprapa said the Mahachon party had confirmed that Mr Pramet had not relinquished party membership when he switched to the Democrats and later ran on that party's ticket.

Pol Maj-Gen Ekkachai indicated the chance of a new election in the Kanchanaburi constituency was very high. A red card for the Democrats would be a severe blow to the party, still nursing its wounds from a crushing poll defeat. It emerged with fewer than 100 winners and even with support from the other opposition parties, Chart Thai and Mahachon, the alliance may be short of the 125 House seats required to impeach a cabinet minister.

The EC earlier cleared Prasong Buranapong, the Thai Rak Thai winner in Nakhon Phanom's constituency 3, of a complaint he gave away T-shirts during his campaign. It found only 10 shirts were handed out, and this was before the election was decreed.

Two more Thai Rak Thai MPs-elect are still to appear before the EC. There has been speculation the commission may reach today's deadline without issuing a single red card. It has denied dragging its feet and being ``responsive'' to the prime minister's wishes.

Chairman Wasana Permlap appeared resigned to failing to meet the deadline. ``If we can't do it, so be it,'' he said.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has confidently predicted that no Thai Rak Thai candidates would be disqualified.

A poll winner given a red card is banned from contesting an election at any level for a year. A yellow card suspends the winner, but they may stand again if a fresh poll is called.

Pol Gen Wasana said yesterday was the last day the EC could disqualify or suspend a candidate, have the Council of State confirm its decisions and still have enough time to call fresh elections and endorse the results before the new parliament convenes.

The constitution stipulates that parliament must meet within 30 days of the Feb 6 general election, or by March 8.