Election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn has cried foul after highly-qualified candidates were ruled out of the running to sit on the Election Commission.
He spoke out after the selection committee shortlisted 15 of 41 people who applied for the vacant positions.
Some of those on the shortlist, although having impressive qualifications, lack the experience some of those who were overlooked have, he said.
The selection panel will interview the 15 on the shortlist today before deciding who makes the cut for the seven commissioner spots. Five incumbent commissioners are to be replaced because of a higher qualification requirement set out by the new charter.
Mr Somchai, who is among the five commissioners being replaced, noted that many capable candidates with strong credentials were not shortlisted.
Some were former department secretary-generals, provincial governors and deputy permanent secretaries.
He said these individuals would have been a good fit.
Mr Somchai, who has been openly critical of what he termed as qualifications that were far too "saintly" for most people to meet, said many of those who missed the cut had experience of organising elections in which there had been no allegations of foul play.
Those overlooked included Gen Mana Prasertseri, former chief of the Directorate of Joint Civil Affairs; Thawatchai Thaikiew, former deputy justice permanent secretary; and Pol Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha, former deputy national police chief.
The 15 shortlisted candidates come from five groups.
First, those with state agency experience as at least department chief or equivalent for at least five years. In this category, two candidates were shortlisted.
Second, those who hold or have held a top position at a state enterprise or a non-state agency for at least five years. In this group, Thakorn Tanthasit, the NBTC secretary-general was shortlisted.
Third, those who have been a professor at a Thai university for at least five years and have made prominent academic achievements. Two candidates were picked from this group.
Fourth, those with 20 years of experience practising law. This group has seven on the list, including Chaiwat Prajongjai, executive of the Lawyers council of Thailand.
Fifth, were those with 20 years of experience in established civic organisations behind them. This group has three shortlisted candidates.
