Washington  - The rules committee of the Democratic National Committee began a meeting in Washington Saturday to hear challenges from Michigan and Florida's Democratic parties to seat their delegates.

Those states flouted party rules by voting too early and were stripped of their delegates to the nominating convention in August.

Democrat presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama obeyed instructions not to campaign there, but both put their names on the Florida ballot. Clinton's name also appeared on the Michigan ballot.

Clinton won in both Florida and Michigan and wants the delegates seated, saying she would lead the symbolic popular vote if both states were counted. Without them, Obama leads the popular vote, as well as the delegate count.

Clinton argues that excluding the two states could alienate Democratic voters in the November 4 presidential elections.

Of the committee's 30 members, 13 are declared for Clinton and eight for Obama. The other nine are undeclared.

US media expected a decision by Sunday at the latest.

Three more Democratic primaries take place in the coming days - Puerto Rico on Sunday, and Montana and South Dakota on Tuesday. (dpa)