There were widespread concerns over the poll's legitimacy, and after a highly unusual intervention from the king, the country's top courts decided to nullify the election and start again.

Amidst all the arguments surrounding this fiasco, there has been one constancy - an almost universal call from the courts, the opposition and the Thai media for the election commissioners to take the blame and resign.

One commissioner quit shortly after the poll was annulled, but the other three have so far steadfastly refused to back down.

Now it appears they may be going by force. On Tuesday they were found guilty of violating election laws and letting unqualified candidates run in some constituencies, especially in the second round of the poll, when there was intense pressure to find alternative candidates to Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party.

"The election commissioners carried out the elections in an unfair manner," the Criminal Court said in a statement. "They are found guilty... and the court sentences them to four years in prison."

The ruling also means they will not have the right to vote, or conduct any political activities for 10 years.

BBC News