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EC Barcode Lawsuits & Government Formation Drama: Anutin Govt. Politics

EC Barcode Lawsuits & Government Formation Drama: Anutin Govt. Politics

MGR Online•Politics•20h ago

Reader Briefing

The Election Commission faces mounting legal challenges over ballot barcodes, potentially impacting government formation as key parties negotiate alliances.

  • •The Election Commission (EC) is being sued by various groups, including legal experts and students, over the use of barcodes on ballots, which they claim violate election secrecy.
  • •A proposed "Anutin Government" coalition, initially including the "Klatham" party, is facing potential reshuffling due to alleged "Uncle's" interference and internal party conflicts.
  • •Despite denials, speculation persists about whether "Klatham" will be excluded from the government, influencing the stability of the potential coalition led by Anutin Charnvirakul.

Overview

  • •Various individuals and groups, including lawyers, university students, and MP candidates, have filed lawsuits against the Election Commission concerning ballot barcodes.
  • •The lawsuits allege that the barcodes on ballots violate Article 85 of the constitution by compromising the 'direct and secret' nature of elections, allowing identification of voters.
  • •A group of university students filed a petition at the Administrative Court on February 8, 2026, seeking to nullify the election and halt the certification of MPs.
  • •The Election Commission and its Secretary-General, Sawang Boonmee, face legal pressure from multiple fronts, including PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act) related complaints.
  • •The comparison of ballots with and without barcodes used in referendums weakens the EC's argument that barcodes are solely for safety measures.
  • •If the court rules against the EC, the current commission could be dissolved, face criminal and civil charges, and billions in damages for a repeat election.
  • •Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the exclusion of the "Klatham" party from the government is "not true" and that he is open to discussing with all parties.
  • •"R.O. Thamanat Promphao" is scheduled to discuss with "Anutin Charnvirakul" during a Cabinet meeting on February 17, amidst rumors of "Uncle's" influence and political retaliation.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

N/A (Implied)
"This barcode can trace back to the 'origin' and identify 'who' chose 'who'."
บาร์โค้ด นี้สามารถสืบสาวราวเรื่องย้อนกลับไปจนเจอ “ต้นขั้ว” และระบุ "ตัวตน" ได้ว่าใคร เลือกใคร
N/A (Implied)
"If the court rules it violates 'direct and secret' election principles, this EC could be historically noted for causing a null and void election."
หากศาลรับลูกว่า เป็นการละเมิดหลักการเลือกตั้ง "โดยตรงและลับ" กกต. ชุดนี้อาจต้องจารึกชื่อในประวัติศาสตร์ ว่าเป็นชุดที่ทำเลือกตั้งพังจนเป็นโมฆะ
Anutin Charnvirakul
"It's not true."
ไม่จริง

Key Entities

Person

Sawang Boonmee(แสวง บุญมี)
Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand, facing legal pressure over ballot barcodes.
Prasit Pathomphadungphak(ประสิทธิ์ ปัทมผดุงศักดิ์)
Representative from the People's Party who filed a complaint with the PDPC against the EC regarding data privacy.
Akkrawat Phongthanacholittkul(อัครวัฒน์ พงศ์ธนาชลิตกุล)
A figure who filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Administrative Court seeking damages from the EC for election management.
Narong Klainvareen(ณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)
Chairman of the Election Commission, facing potential reputational and legal consequences due to the barcode controversy.
Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️
A key political figure and potential Prime Minister, whose party is leading negotiations for a new government coalition.
Thamanat Promphao(ธรรมนัส พรหมเผ่า)ℹ️
Advisory Chairman of the Klatham Party, whose past actions are reportedly a factor in the party's potential exclusion from government.
Pai Lik(ไผ่ ลิกค์)
Secretary-General of the Klatham Party, who has been involved in communications regarding government coalition talks.
Chaichanok Chidchob(ไชยชนก ชิดชอบ)
Secretary-General of the Bhumjaithai Party, engaged in discussions with the Klatham Party regarding coalition formation.
Pohsapon Saram(โภสภณ ซารัมย์)
Deputy Prime Minister who chaired a Cabinet meeting in place of Anutin Charnvirakul.

Organization

Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️
The Thai electoral body currently embroiled in lawsuits concerning the use of barcodes on election ballots.
Personal Data Protection Committee(PDPC)
The committee responsible for data protection in Thailand, to which a complaint was filed against the EC concerning personal data collection.
Anutin Government(รัฐบาลอนุทิน)
A potential government coalition led by Anutin Charnvirakul, whose formation is being complicated by party negotiations and political disputes.
Klatham Party(พรรคกล้าธรรม)
A political party whose potential inclusion in the 'Anutin Government' is uncertain due to internal conflicts and alleged external influence.
Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️
A major political party involved in forming the new government, led by Anutin Charnvirakul.
Pheu Thai Party(พรรคเพื่อไทย)ℹ️
Another major political party involved in negotiations for the new government coalition, with a history of rivalry with Bhumjaithai.

Policy

Barcode(บาร์โค้ด)ℹ️
A controversial element on election ballots, alleged to compromise voter secrecy and leading to lawsuits against the Election Commission.

Law

Constitution Article 85(รัฐธรรมนูญ มาตรา 85)
The constitutional provision cited in lawsuits against the EC, mandating elections to be 'direct and secret'.