Election Fiasco Due to Barcode, Votes Trackable, Chonburi EC Lawsuit on Agenda

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Chairman of the Political Committee criticizes the election as 'ruined' due to barcodes on ballots allowing vote traceability, leading to a meeting about the Election Commission's lawsuit against citizens in Chonburi.

•The Chairman of the Senate's Political Development Committee has stated that barcodes on ballot papers compromise the secrecy of the vote, effectively ruining the election.
•The Election Commission (EC) is being scrutinized for its handling of ballot papers and potential traceability of votes, leading to concerns about vote-buying and coercion.
•The committee will hold a meeting on February 17th to discuss the EC's legal action against individuals who demanded a recount in Chonburi's constituency 1.

Overview

•Noraset Prajakorn, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development, criticized the election process due to barcodes on ballot papers.
•The presence of barcodes on ballot papers allows for the traceability of votes, thereby compromising the secrecy of the election.
•The ability to trace votes raises concerns about vote-buying, pressure, and control over voters, leading to the election being declared a failure.
•The Senate Committee on Political Development will convene on February 17th at 10:00 AM.
•The committee's agenda includes a discussion on the Election Commission's legal case against citizens in Chonburi's constituency 1.
•The EC is accused of suing individuals who called for a recount of election results in the aforementioned constituency.
•The EC Secretary-General and other relevant parties have been invited to the committee meeting for clarification.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Noraset Prajakorn

"Where is the secrecy? A secret election doesn't end at the voting booth, but means no one can trace it back. As soon as it's known who voted for whom, vote-buying, pressure, and control over people will immediately occur. When the public's vote is no longer secret, it's equivalent to this election being a complete failure."

ความลับอยู่ตรงไหน การเลือกตั้งโดยลับไม่ได้จบแค่ตอนเข้าคูหา แต่ต้องหมายถึง ไม่มีใครตรวจสอบย้อนหลังได้ด้วย เพราะทันทีที่รู้ได้ว่าใครเลือกอะไร การซื้อเสียง การกดดัน และการควบคุมประชาชน จะเกิดขึ้นทันทีพอการออกเสียงเลือกตั้งของประชาชนไม่ใช่ความลับ เท่ากับการเลือกตั้งครั้งนี้พังเรียบร้อย

Key Entities

Person

Noraset Prajakorn(นายนรเศรษฐ์ ปรัชญากร)

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection.

Prinya Thaewanarumitkul(นายปริญญา เทวานฤมิตรกุล)

A law academic from Thammasat University who raised questions about the EC's ballot handling procedures.

Sa-nguan Boonmee(นายแสวง บุญมี)

Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), invited to the Senate committee meeting to clarify issues regarding the election.

Ms. Koomklao Songsomboon(น.ส.คุ้มเกล้า ส่งสมบูรณ์)

Head of Litigation at the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center, invited to the Senate committee meeting.

Mr. Noraset Na-nongtoom(นายนรเศรษฐ์ นาหนองตูม)

Lawyer at the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center, invited to the Senate committee meeting.

Organization

Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️

The Thai electoral body responsible for overseeing elections, currently facing scrutiny over ballot paper handling and alleged legal action against citizens.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The upper house of the Thai Parliament, whose committee is reviewing the integrity of the recent election and the EC's actions.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center(ศูนย์ทนายความเพื่อสิทธิมนุษยชน)

A legal organization representing individuals whose rights may have been infringed upon, with its lawyers invited to a Senate committee meeting.

Place

Chonburi Province(จ.ชลบุรี)ℹ️

Location where election results were contested, leading to the Election Commission filing a lawsuit against citizens.

Chonburi Constituency 1(เขตเลือกตั้งที่ 1 จ.ชลบุรี)

The specific electoral district in Chonburi Province where citizens demanded a recount, subsequently leading to legal action by the EC.