Special report: Crisis in Thailand
Special report: Snap general election in Thailand
Special report: Thai deputy PM appointed caretaker PM

    BANGKOK, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Thai Senate late Friday selected five persons to form a new Election Commission (EC) panel to organize the country's next general election scheduled for October 15, a source close to the parliament told Xinhua.

    The new five election commissioners are Apichart Sukhakkanon, chief justice of the Environment Division of the Supreme Court, Somchai Jung-prasert, chief of the Supreme Court judges' quorum, Prapan Naikowit, deputy attorney-general, Prapan Naikowit, deputy attorney-general, and Sodsri Satayathum, a senior Supreme Court judge and the only female nominee.

    The Senate called a whole-day meeting on Friday and voted on the five new election commissioners from among an approved list of 10 finalists following completion of the Senate's 22-member investigation panel review of their personal backgrounds and qualifications.

    All the candidates were nominated by the Supreme Court last month to replace the former Election Commission, whose remaining three members resigned in disgrace in August after being jailed for mishandling the April 2 election and the following by-elections.

    Another EC member had previously resigned, while a fifth member is deceased.

    This is a major step to break the political impasse which cast a cloud over one of the region's most dynamic economies for months. However, the newly-born election board could face many challenges, such as the conflicts between political factions during the upcoming general election.

    A Royal decree calling for a general election for October 15 came into effect on August 24, but Cabinet Secretary-General Rongpol Charoenphanthu said Thursday that he believed the new EC would not be able to meet the schedule.

    That means, the new general election date could be delayed, Rongpol said. Enditem