Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is expected to defend himself against a share-holding violation claim before the Election Commission (EC) on Monday.
FFP spokeswoman Pannika Wanich said Mr Thanathorn plans to meet the EC and clarify the claim against him in person. As such, he will seek a meeting with the poll agency on that date, ahead of the May 1 deadline.
Mr Thanathorn returned to Thailand on Thursday evening.
He was overseas when the EC announced on Tuesday that the commission's inquiry panel had gathered evidence showing he held 675,000 shares in V-Luck Media Co, which runs several media outlets.
The EC has given the FFP leader seven days to counter the allegations that he violated Section 98 (3) of the constitution, which bars owners or shareholders of media and/or publishing firms from applying to be MPs.
Based on a petition initiated by Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, Mr Thanathorn applied to be an MP candidate while still holding shares in V-Luck Media Co.
Ms Pannika expressed confidence Mr Thanathorn would be able to clear his name but noted that if he was disqualified from the election, the FFP leader was ready to engage in political work outside parliament.
The party said on its Facebook account the EC has to wait until the FFP leader is endorsed as an MP before it can question his qualifications. It said the case would be referred to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.
Sawaeng Boonmee, deputy secretary-general of the EC, said on Thursday the agency has the authority to look into the qualifications of MP candidates before and after the poll, following criticism that its authority does not extend beyond the election.
He said the EC has limitations in cross-checking certain information before the poll, so all candidates are asked to verify that they meet the criteria when they apply.
For those for who fail to meet the proper qualifications, in violation of the law, "the EC has to proceed, regardless of whether it is before or after the election, or after the election results are announced", he said.
