Ex-Senator: EC Officials Face Jail if Ballot Barcode Found Illegal

Khaosod•Politics•5h ago

Reader Briefing

Former Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraaha warns Election Commission (EC) officials could face jail time over controversial barcodes on ballots, citing legal principles and past precedents.

•Former Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraaha visited the Election Commission on February 17, 2026, to file a complaint regarding vote tampering.
•The complaint concerns alleged improper conduct by a winning mayoral candidate in Prachin Buri, including asset seizure and benefit transfers.
•Rattanawaraaha specifically raised concerns about barcodes and QR codes on election ballots, suggesting they violate the principle of ballot secrecy.
•He stated that if the investigation proves the ballot secrecy was compromised, those responsible, including EC officials, could face legal repercussions, including jail time.

Overview

•On February 17, 2026, Kittisak Rattanawaraaha visited the Election Commission (EC) to submit a complaint.
•Kittisak Rattanawaraaha accompanied a mayoral candidate to file a complaint regarding alleged qualification issues and election irregularities.
•Kittisak Rattanawaraaha stated that ballots should not have anything mixed in, due to concerns over ballot secrecy.
•The complaint was filed after a mayoral election on February 15, 2026, where a winning candidate's qualifications were questioned.
•Kittisak Rattanawaraaha warned that EC officials could face jail time if the investigation finds the ballot barcodes to be illegal and that ballot secrecy was violated.
•Election Commission (EC) officials may face legal consequences if the inquiry into ballot barcodes reveals violations of election law.
•The core issue driving the concern is the alleged inclusion of barcodes and QR codes on ballots, which may compromise the confidentiality of votes.
•The legal consequences for those involved, including potential jail time for EC officials, will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the election irregularities.

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Key Quotes

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"If truly illegal, EC officials will definitely go to jail."

ถ้าผิดจริง กกต.ติดคุกแน่

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"Ballots should not have anything mixed in."

ใบลงคะแนนไม่ควรมีอะไรมาเจือปน

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"If you act legally and follow EC regulations, there should be no problem."

ถ้าท่านทำถูกต้องตามกฎหมาย ตามระเบียบ กกต. ก็ไม่น่ามีปัญหา

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"Those who put barcodes on ballot papers must take responsibility."

คนที่ใส่บาร์โค้ดในบัตรเลือกตั้งก็ต้องรับผิดชอบ

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"So, we must continue to see whether barcodes or other things put on MP ballot papers are correct."

ดังนั้นต้องดูต่อไปว่า บาร์โค้ดหรืออะไรต่างๆ ที่นำไปใส่ไว้ในบัตรเลือกตั้ง สส. จะถูกต้องหรือไม่

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"If it's illegal, be prepared and brace yourselves."

ถ้าทำผิดก็เตรียมตัว เตรียมใจไว้ได้ครับ

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha

"Certainly, because once ballot boxes faced the wrong way, the election was cancelled, and criminal charges followed."

แน่นอน เพราะสมัยหนึ่งมีหีบเลือกตั้ง หันหน้าหันหลังออก ตอนนั้นถึงกับยกเลิกการเลือกตั้ง แล้วคดีอาญาก็ต้องรับผิดชอบตามมา

Key Entities

Person

Kittisak Rattanawaraaha(กิตติศักดิ์ รัตนวราหะ)

Former Senator who is commenting on alleged election irregularities and potential legal consequences for Election Commission officials.

Mayor of Pho Ngam Subdistrict Municipality(นายกเทศมนตรีตำบลโพธิ์งาม)

The winning candidate in the Pho Ngam Subdistrict Municipality election whose qualifications and conduct are under scrutiny.

Organization

Election Commission (EC)(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง(กกต.))ℹ️

The official body responsible for overseeing elections in Thailand, currently being scrutinized over ballot design.

Place

Prachantakham District(อ.ประจันตคาม)

The district in Prachin Buri province where the Pho Ngam Subdistrict Municipality is located.

Prachin Buri Province(จ.ปราจีนบุรี)ℹ️

The province in which Prachantakham District and the Pho Ngam Subdistrict Municipality are situated.

Law

Ballot Paper(บัตรเลือกตั้ง)

The official document used for voting, currently under scrutiny due to the alleged inclusion of barcodes that may violate secrecy.