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ECT Debates 'Barcode' Issue, Recounts Possible for 66,000 Ballots

ECT Debates 'Barcode' Issue, Recounts Possible for 66,000 Ballots

Thairath•Politics•9h ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Election Commission (ECT) is facing a critical juncture over the use of barcodes on ballots, with potential widespread recounts due to 66,000 ballots not matching voter numbers.

  • •The Election Commission (ECT) is holding urgent meetings regarding the 'barcode' issue on ballots and a potential mismatch of 66,000 votes.
  • •The controversy stems from concerns that the barcode might compromise ballot secrecy, leading to a lawsuit arguing the election was unconstitutional.
  • •The ECT is considering a recount at over 20 locations due to discrepancies between the number of votes and registered voters, potentially impacting official results.

Overview

  • •On February 17, 2026, the Election Commission (ECT) held a meeting at its headquarters to discuss continuous agendas regarding the printing of new ballots.
  • •The ECT is concerned about legal issues surrounding the 'barcode symbol' on ballots after being sued for allegedly violating the constitution and making the election void.
  • •The ECT is considering ordering a recount of over 20 units after finding problems with 'bent ballots' or a mismatch between the number of ballots and registered voters.
  • •The unofficial results website (ECT Report 69) revealed a difference of 66,000 people between constituency and party-list voters, highlighting the ballot discrepancy.
  • •Recounts are expected to take place in late February 2026.
  • •In Samut Prakan, a discarded ballot sheet for constituency 6 was found in a landfill, prompting an inquiry into the Provincial ECT Director.
  • •The Provincial ECT Director initially claimed the discarded sheet was marked incorrectly and was replaced publicly, but the breach of security remains under investigation.
  • •The ECT has decided to withhold press conferences to prevent misinterpretation and will primarily issue statements through press releases during this critical period.

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Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission (ECT)(กกต.)ℹ️
The Thai governmental body responsible for overseeing elections.
Lat Luang Municipality(เทศบาลลัดหลวง)
The municipality where a discarded ballot sheet was found.
Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC)(คณะกรรมการคุ้มครองข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล (PDPC))
The committee that received a complaint regarding the traceability of voters via barcodes.

Place

Bangkok(กรุงเทพฯ)ℹ️
The capital city of Thailand where new ballots are to be printed.
Nan(น่าน)ℹ️
A province in Thailand where new ballots are to be printed.
Udon Thani(อุดรธานี)ℹ️
A province in Thailand where new ballots are to be printed.
Samut Prakan Province(จ.สมุทรปราการ)ℹ️
A province where a ballot sheet was found discarded.