Constitutional Court examines ballot barcode case witnesses

Khaosod•Politics•13h ago

Reader Briefing

The Constitutional Court began examining five witnesses regarding the use of barcodes and QR codes on election ballots.

•The Constitutional Court held a witness examination on August 26, 2026.
•The case concerns 22 complaints regarding the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballots used in the February 8, 2026 general election.
•The court prohibited the broadcast of images and audio and banned the disclosure of examination data to the public.

•On August 26, 2026, the Constitutional Court examined five witnesses regarding the ballot barcode case.
•The Ombudsman submitted 22 complaints requesting a ruling under Section 213 of the Constitution regarding the general election held on February 8, 2026.
•The complaints allege that the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballots could allow the identification of voters and their votes, violating the secrecy of the ballot.
•Narong Klanwarin, Chairman of the Election Commission, attended the witness examination as an observer.
•Acting Sub-Lieutenant Passakorn Siriphakayaporn, Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission, demonstrated the ballot collection process.
•Judge Wirun Saengthian stated that disclosing ballot security measures could impact the efficiency of anti-counterfeiting measures and political stability.
•The Constitutional Court ordered that only authorized persons remain in the courtroom and strictly forbade the disclosure of examination information to outsiders.
•The court granted a request from the Election Commission and the ballot printing company to conduct the proceedings privately.

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Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The judicial body examining witnesses in the ballot barcode case.

Election Commission(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)

The body that organized the general election on February 8, 2026, using barcodes and QR codes on ballots.

Ombudsman(ผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน)ℹ️

The entity that submitted 22 complaints to the Constitutional Court regarding the election ballots.

Narong Klanwarin(ณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)

Chairman of the Election Commission who observed the witness examination.

Nitreeya Rattanathasanee(นิตรีญา รัตนทัศนีย์)

A professional computer academic at the Election Commission office and a witness called by the court.

Worapong Anantcharoenkit(วรพงศ์ อนันต์เจริญกิจ)

Director of the Election Support Bureau at the Election Commission office and a witness called by the court.

Passakorn Siriphakayaporn(ภาสกร สิริภคยาพร)

Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission who demonstrated the ballot collection process.

Wirun Saengthian(วิรุฬห์ แสงเทียน)ℹ️

The judge assigned to conduct the witness examination.

Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The supreme law whose sections 4, 25, 32, 34, 50(7), 83, 85, 95, and 224 were allegedly violated.

Organic Act on Procedures of the Constitutional Court 2018(พ.ร.ป.ว่าด้วยวิธีพิจารณาของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ 2561)

The law governing the conduct of persons within the courtroom under Section 59.