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EC Discusses Ballot Format, Re-voting, Recounts

EC Discusses Ballot Format, Re-voting, Recounts

Khaosod•Politics•11h ago

Reader Briefing

The Election Commission is in tense deliberations regarding the format of new ballots, potential re-voting in three constituencies, and a comprehensive recount of over twenty units due to discrepancies and ballot issues.

  • •The Election Commission (EC) is holding urgent discussions on the format for newly printed ballots.
  • •Re-voting is confirmed for three specific polling units.
  • •A recount of over twenty polling units is anticipated due to ballot irregularities and missing count sheets.
  • •The EC is investigating the discarding of vote counting forms in Samut Prakan and the reasons behind barcode controversies.

Overview

  • •On February 17, 2026, the Election Commission (EC) convened to discuss the printing of new ballots.
  • •Discussions continued from February 16, 2026, regarding ballot format for re-voting.
  • •Re-voting is scheduled for February 22, 2026, in three specified polling units.
  • •A potential recount in over twenty units is being considered due to 'errant ballots' where the number of ballots does not match the number of voters.
  • •The EC is concerned that the barcode issue on ballots could negatively impact their legal defense against claims of unconstitutionality.
  • •The EC is investigating the discovery of discarded vote counting forms in Samut Prakan.
  • •A recount, if ordered, is expected around the end of February 2026.
  • •The EC will primarily use official documentation for explanations, avoiding press conferences due to past negative interpretation of their statements.

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Key Quotes

Office of the Election Commission
"Fearing impact on the barcode legal case."
หวั่นกระทบการต่อสู้คดีบาร์โค้ด
Office of the Election Commission
"Found that ballots did not match the number of voters, known as 'errant ballots'."
พบว่าบัตรออกเสียงเลือกตั้งไม่ตรงกับจำนวนผู้มาใช้สิทธิเลือกตั้ง หรือที่เรียกว่า บัตรเขย่ง
Provincial Election Director, Samut Prakan
"Marked incorrectly, so signed and switched to a backup scoring form."
ขีดผิด จึงได้เซ็นกำกับ และเปลี่ยนนำแบบขีดคะแนนสำรองขึ้นมาใช้

Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission of Thailand (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️
The government body responsible for overseeing elections, currently in tense deliberations regarding ballot formats, re-voting, and recounts.
Office of the Election Commission(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)ℹ️
The administrative arm of the EC, which has reported ballot discrepancies and is involved in legal challenges.
ECT Report 69 Website(เว็บไซด์ อีซีทีรีพอร์ต 69)
An unofficial election results reporting website managed by the EC, which highlighted discrepancies in voter turnout numbers contributing to the 'errant ballots' issue.
Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC)(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการคุ้มครองข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล (สคส.))ℹ️
The regulatory body that received a complaint against the EC regarding the barcode issue on ballots, which could potentially identify individual voters.
Ombudsman(ผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน)ℹ️
An independent body that has requested an explanation from the EC within seven days concerning the barcode issue.

Place

Samut Prakan(สมุทรปราการ)ℹ️
A province where discarded vote counting forms were found, leading to an investigation.
Constituency 15, Kannayao, Bangkok(เขตเลือกตั้งที่ 15 คันนายาว กรุงเทพ)
Location of one of the polling units where re-voting is scheduled.
Constituency 1, Chai Sathan Subdistrict, Mueang Nan District, Nan Province(เขตเลือกตั้งที่ 1 ต.ไชยสถาน อ.เมืองน่าน จ.น่าน)
Location of one of the polling units where re-voting is scheduled.
Constituency 6, Phon Sung Subdistrict, Chai Wan District, Udon Thani Province(เขตเลือกตั้งที่ 6 ต.โพนสูง. อ.ไชยวาน จ.อุดรธานี)
Location of one of the polling units where re-voting is scheduled.

Law

Errant Ballots(บัตรเขย่ง)
A term referring to ballots where the count does not match the number of registered voters, necessitating further investigation and potential recounts.