BANGKOK, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday he is confident that the next general election set for Oct. 15 will not be postponed as a result of the Criminal Court's ruling against the three remaining election commissioners.

    Selection of a new, fully-constituted panel of five election commissioners is likely to be concluded within a month, Thaksin affirmed.

    His comments were in response to Tuesday's Criminal Court's ruling sentencing the current Election Commission (EC) trio to an immediate four-year jail term -- without suspension -- for mishandling the controversial April 23 by-election.

    According to the Office of the Council of State, when incumbent EC members cannot function, the Senate must select the new commissioners by reporting to the Supreme Court, asking it to nominate candidates from which the senate will then make its selection.

    "Judging from present circumstances, I see no factors that can cause changes about the election date," Thaksin said. "I think the new EC selection process will be complete within a month as the Supreme Court already has in hand the names of persons who they will nominate as candidates."

    When the Supreme Court nominates the candidates, the senate will examine their qualifications, Thaksin said, saying he did not think it would take a long time.

    Asked whether the new EC members will encounter difficulties in their work because the public have high expectations for the upcoming general election, the prime minister said, "It won't be much trouble if each party plays the role assigned to them."

    Thaksin, who is also leader of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, said his party has no special preparation for changes on the run up to the October 15 general election to be organized by the new EC.

    "When the new EC takes place, we will work as usual. We always adhere to and keep the rules; so we don't have to prepare that much," the TRT leader said. "Anyway, we may change something just to be in line with changing circumstances."

    The incumbent EC members have been criticized as favoring the ruling TRT in managing the most recent elections. Enditem

Special report: Crisis in Thailand

Special report: Snap general election in Thailand

Special report: Thai deputy PM appointed caretaker PM