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9 Universities Sue EC Over Election Results, Demand Rerun

9 Universities Sue EC Over Election Results, Demand Rerun

Khaosod•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Nine universities have filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify the election commission's certification of election results, citing legal irregularities and demanding a new election.

  • •Nine universities are suing the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) at the Administrative Court.
  • •The lawsuit alleges that the EC illegally conducted the election on February 8, 2026.
  • •The plaintiffs are demanding that the election results be invalidated and a new election be organized.
  • •A key grievance is the use of ballot papers with barcodes that could compromise voter secrecy.

Overview

  • •At 1:00 PM on February 16, 2026, representatives from nine universities filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court.
  • •Nine university networks, including Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University, initiated legal action against the Election Commission.
  • •The lawsuit claims the Election Commission illegally conducted the election on February 8, 2026, by using ballot papers with barcodes.
  • •The plaintiffs argue that the use of barcodes violates the constitutional principle of 'secret voting' by potentially identifying voters.
  • •The plaintiffs request the court to rule the election of February 8, 2026, as illegal and order the EC to conduct a new election.
  • •The students also requested the court to temporarily suspend the announcement of election results certification to prevent irreparable damage.
  • •The plaintiffs urge the court to expedite the case for the benefit of the state and the public.

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Key Quotes

Theerayut Supatpakpiboon
"The EC managed the election on Feb 8, 2026, illegally by creating ballot papers with barcodes that can identify or trace back to the voter, violating the principle of 'secret voting' under the constitution."
กกต.จัดการเลือกตั้ง วันที่ 8 ก.พ.2026 ไม่ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย เนื่องจากจัดทำ บัตรเลือกตั้งที่มีรหัส บาร์โค้ด ซึ่งสามารถระบุหรือย้อนกลับไปถึงตัวตนของผู้ลงคะแนนได้ เป็นการละเมิดหลักการ “การลงคะแนนลับ” ตามรัฐธรรมนูญ

Key Entities

Place

Administrative Court(ศาลปกครอง)
The judicial body where a lawsuit was filed concerning election irregularities.

Organization

Election Commission of Thailand (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️
The governmental body being sued for alleged illegal election practices.
Thammasat and Demonstration group(กลุ่มธรรมศาสตร์และการชุมนุม)
The group represented by Theerayut Supatpakpiboon, advocating for the students' cause.
Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Thammasat University(มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Kasetsart University(มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Khon Kaen University(มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang(สถาบันเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าคุณทหารลาดกระบัง)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Chiang Mai University(มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Mae Fah Luang University(มหาวิทยาลัยแม่ฟ้าหลวง)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Ramkhamhaeng University(มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.
Srinakharinwirot University(มหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ)ℹ️
One of the nine universities involved in the lawsuit against the Election Commission.

Law

Ballot papers with barcodes(บัตรเลือกตั้งมีบาร์โค้ด)
The specific election material cited as a cause for the lawsuit, allegedly compromising voter privacy.
Secret voting(การลงคะแนนลับ)
A fundamental principle of the constitution allegedly violated by the Election Commission's use of ballot barcodes.

Person

Theerayut Supatpakpiboon(นายธีรภัทร ศุภพิทักษ์ไพบูลย์)
The coordinator of the Thammasat and Demonstration group, acting as a representative for the protesting universities.
Secretary-General of the EC(เลขาธิการ กกต.)
An official of the Election Commission of Thailand named as a defendant in the lawsuit.