Constitutional Court hears witnesses on ballot barcode case

Thansettakij•Politics•14h ago

Reader Briefing

The Constitutional Court questioned five witnesses regarding the use of barcodes and QR codes on Member of Parliament ballots.

•The Constitutional Court held a hearing on August 26, 2026, regarding ballot printing standards.
•The case involves 22 complaints forwarded by the Ombudsman concerning the General Election held on February 8, 2026.
•The Court prohibited live broadcasting and the disclosure of hearing details to outsiders to protect ballot security.

•The Ombudsman submitted 22 complaints to the Constitutional Court under Section 213 of the Constitution regarding the Election Commission of Thailand's use of barcodes and QR codes on ballots for the February 8, 2026, general election.
•Petitioners argued that the barcodes and QR codes could allow the identity of voters and their votes to be traced, potentially violating the secrecy of the ballot and several constitutional sections.
•On August 26, 2026, at 10:30 AM, the Constitutional Court questioned five witnesses, including Nitriya Rattanathasnee, Worapong Anancharoenkit, and Sawaeng Boonmee.
•Acting Sub-Lieutenant Phassakorn Siriphakayaporn of the Election Commission of Thailand demonstrated the ballot collection process to the Constitutional Court.
•Judge Wirun Saengthian informed parties that the Election Commission of Thailand and the ballot printing company requested a non-public hearing.
•The Constitutional Court determined that disclosing anti-counterfeiting measures could allow malicious actors to bypass security systems, affecting political stability and election integrity.
•The Constitutional Court banned all live audio and video broadcasts of the hearing and strictly forbade authorized attendees from leaking information to outsiders.
•The Constitutional Court will gather all facts and evidence to determine if the Election Commission of Thailand's actions complied with the Constitution and principles of honest and fair elections.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The judicial body conducting the inquiry into the legality of ballot barcodes and QR codes.

Election Commission of Thailand(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)ℹ️

The agency responsible for organizing the general election and printing the contested ballots.

Ombudsman(ผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน)ℹ️

The body that received 22 complaints and forwarded them to the Constitutional Court.

Nitriya Rattanathasnee(นิตรีญา รัตนทัศนีย์)

A professional computer academic at the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand and a witness in the case.

Worapong Anancharoenkit(วรพงศ์ อนันต์เจริญกิจ)

Director of the Election Support Bureau at the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand and a witness in the case.

Sawaeng Boonmee(แสวง บุญมี)

Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand and a witness in the case.

Phassakorn Siriphakayaporn(ภาสกร สิริภคยาพร)

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

Narong Klanwarin(ณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)

Chairman of the Election Commission of Thailand who attended the hearing as an observer.

Wirun Saengthian(วิรุฬห์ แสงเทียน)ℹ️

The Constitutional Court judge assigned to conduct the inquiry.

Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The supreme law under which the legality of the election ballots is being judged.

Organic Act on Procedures of the Constitutional Court 2018(พระราชบัญญัติประกอบรัฐธรรมนูญว่าด้วยวิธีพิจารณาของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ พ.ศ. 2561)

The law cited regarding the court's power to limit persons in the courtroom.