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Constitutional Court to rule on ballot barcode case Sept 28

Constitutional Court to rule on ballot barcode case Sept 28

Thansettakij•Politics•1h ago

Reader Briefing

The Constitutional Court will deliver its verdict on the legality of barcodes and QR codes on election ballots on September 28.

  • •The Constitutional Court scheduled the verdict for September 28 at 14:00.
  • •The case concerns whether barcodes and QR codes on ballots from the February 8, 2026 election violate voter secrecy.
  • •The court held a witness hearing on August 26, 2026, with five witnesses called to provide information.
  • •The court banned live broadcasts of the hearing to protect security measures against ballot forgery.

Overview

  • •The Constitutional Court scheduled the reading of the verdict for the ballot barcode case on September 28 at 14:00.
  • •The case originated from 22 complaints submitted by the Ombudsman regarding the Election Commission of Thailand's use of barcodes and QR codes in the general election on February 8, 2026.
  • •Petitioners argued that barcodes and QR codes could allow the identity of voters and their votes to be traced, potentially violating several articles of the Constitution.
  • •The Constitutional Court summoned five witnesses on August 26, 2026, including Nitriya Rattanathasnee, Woraphong Anantcharoenkit, and Sawaeng Bunmee.
  • •Acting Sub Lieutenant Passakorn Siriphakayaporn from the Election Commission of Thailand demonstrated the ballot collection process to the court.
  • •The Constitutional Court denied a request for a public hearing because disclosing anti-forgery measures could allow malicious actors to undermine ballot security.
  • •The Constitutional Court ordered a ban on live audio and video broadcasts of the August 26, 2026 hearing to protect the public interest.
  • •The Constitutional Court will issue its final ruling on September 28.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Entities

Organization

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️
The judicial body presiding over the case regarding ballot barcodes and scheduled to deliver a verdict on September 28.
Election Commission of Thailand(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)ℹ️
The organization that managed the general election on February 8, 2026 and used barcodes and QR codes on ballots.
Ombudsman(ผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน)ℹ️
The body that received 22 complaints and forwarded them to the Constitutional Court for consideration.

Person

Nitriya Rattanathasnee(นิตรีญา รัตนทัศนีย์)
A professional computer academic from the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand who served as a witness.
Woraphong Anantcharoenkit(วรพงศ์ อนันต์เจริญกิจ)
Director of the Election Support Bureau of the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand who served as a witness.
Sawaeng Bunmee(แสวง บุญมี)
Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand who served as a witness.
Passakorn Siriphakayaporn(ภาสกร สิริภคยาพร)
Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand who demonstrated the ballot collection process to the court.
Wirun Saengthian(วิรุฬห์ แสงเทียน)ℹ️
The Constitutional Court judge assigned to conduct the inquiry in this case.

Law

Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️
The supreme law under which the Election Commission's actions were reviewed, specifically Article 213 and several others.
Organic Act on Procedures of the Constitutional Court 2018(พระราชบัญญัติประกอบรัฐธรรมนูญว่าด้วยวิธีพิจารณาของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ พ.ศ. 2561)
The law cited by the court to limit access to the hearing room under Article 59, paragraph one.