Court to Vote on Local Election Law Voting Rights Deprivation

Matichon•Politics•21d ago

Reader Briefing

The Constitutional Court has scheduled a vote on August 5, 2026, regarding whether the Local Election Act's 20-year voting rights revocation is constitutional.

•The Constitutional Court will hold a vote on August 5, 2026, at 13.00 onwards.
•The case concerns Section 120 of the Local Election Act 2019 regarding the revocation of voting rights for 20 years.
•The dispute was initiated after the Appeal Court Region 2 submitted an objection from the defendant, Kiattikun Suknet.
•The Constitutional Court has resolved to terminate the inquiry as there is sufficient evidence to make a ruling.

Overview

•The Appeal Court Region 2 submitted an objection from the defendant Kiattikun Suknet in criminal case numbers Black A 2212/2025 and Red A 4427/2025.
•The dispute questions whether Section 120 of the Local Election Act 2019, specifically the part regarding the revocation of voting rights, contradicts Section 26, paragraph one, of the Constitution.
•Section 120 of the Local Election Act 2019 mandates a fixed 20-year revocation of voting rights for candidates who know they lack qualifications.
•The legal challenge argues that the 20-year fixed term restricts the court's discretion and limits fundamental political rights beyond necessity.
•The Constitutional Court determined the case is a legal issue with sufficient evidence, leading to a resolution to end the inquiry under Section 58, paragraph one, of the Organic Act on Court Procedures of the Constitutional Court 2018.
•The Constitutional Court scheduled oral statements, consultations, and a vote for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, starting at 13.00.
•The ruling on August 5 will establish a new legal precedent for determining proportions of political penalties and protecting Thai citizens' rights under the Constitution.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Organization

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The court responsible for ruling on whether the Local Election Act contradicts the Constitution.

Appeal Court Region 2(ศาลอุทธรณ์ภาค 2)

The court that submitted the defendant's objection to the Constitutional Court.

Person

Kiattikun Suknet(เกียรติกุนทร์ สุขเนตร์)

The defendant in criminal cases Black A 2212/2025 and Red A 4427/2025 who contested the election law.

Law

Local Election Act 2019(พระราชบัญญัติการเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาท้องถิ่นหรือผู้บริหารท้องถิ่น พ.ศ. 2562)

The law whose Section 120 regarding 20-year voting rights revocation is being challenged.

Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The supreme law whose Section 26, paragraph one, is cited to protect individual rights and liberties.

Organic Act on Court Procedures of the Constitutional Court 2018(พ.ร.บ.ประกอบรัฐธรรมนูญว่าด้วยวิธีพิจารณาของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ พ.ศ. 2561)

The law under which the Constitutional Court decided to terminate the inquiry in Section 58, paragraph one.