Former MP Sues EC Over Voting Data Leak

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

A former Member of Parliament is seeking legal action against the Election Commission over alleged data leaks from scanned ballots.

•Former MP Prasit Patamapadungsak filed a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC).
•The complaint alleges the Election Commission (EC) illegally collected personal data through barcodes on ballots.
•The action seeks both administrative and criminal penalties against the EC.
•The former MP claims this practice violates personal data protection laws, compromising the secrecy of votes.
•The complaint was filed on February 16, 2026, at the EC's office.

•On February 16, 2026, Prasit Patamapadungsak visited the Office of the Election Commission.
•Prasit Patamapadungsak filed a formal complaint with the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC).
•The complaint was filed due to the Election Commission's alleged creation of ballot barcodes that could link votes to individuals.
•Prasit Patamapadungsak asserted that attaching barcodes to ballots is an offense and enables tracking voters nationwide.
•The alleged data leak compromises the direct and secret nature of elections, violating personal data laws.
•Prasit Patamapadungsak argued that barcodes are unnecessary for vote counting and violate laws regarding data collection and consent.
•Prasit Patamapadungsak requested the PDPC to investigate the traceability of ballot barcodes.
•Prasit Patamapadungsak demanded the destruction of ballots or permanent separation of stubs and barcodes to prevent future data linkage.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Prasit Patamapadungsak

"Attaching a barcode to the ballot allows identification of who marked the ballot, enabling tracking nationwide, which is an offense."

การติดบาร์โค้ดบนบัตรเลือกตั้งทำให้สามารถค้นไปถึงคนที่กาบัตรว่าคือใคร สามารถติดตามได้ ทั่วประเทศไทยถือเป็นความผิด

Prasit Patamapadungsak

"Security must not come at the cost of violating citizens' fundamental data rights."

ความปลอดภัยต้องไม่แลกมาด้วยการละเมิดสิทธิ์ข้อมูลพื้นฐานของประชาชน

Prasit Patamapadungsak

"Therefore, I believe our polling booths should be the safest place."

ดังนั้นจึงเห็นว่าคูหาเลือกตั้งของเราควรจะเป็นที่ปลอดภัยที่สุด

Former MP of Pathum Thani, People's Party(อดีต สส. ปทุมธานี พรรคประชาชน)

Former Member of Parliament from Pathum Thani province representing the People's Party who filed a complaint against the Election Commission.

Prasit Patamapadungsak(นายประสิทธิ์ ปัทมผดุงศักดิ์)

The complainant and a candidate for MP in District 7, Pathum Thani, for the People's Party, who is suing the Election Commission.

Election Commission(กกต.)ℹ️

The governmental body responsible for conducting elections in Thailand, accused of illegally collecting personal data via ballot barcodes.

Personal Data Protection Committee(คณะกรรมการคุ้มครองข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล)

The committee that received the complaint against the Election Commission regarding an alleged breach of personal data protection laws.

PDPC(สคส.)

Abbreviation for the Personal Data Protection Committee to which the complaint was filed.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party represented by the complainant, Prasit Patamapadungsak.

Pathum Thani(ปทุมธานี)ℹ️

The province from which the complainant, Prasit Patamapadungsak, is a former Member of Parliament and a current candidate.

Personal Data Protection Law(กฎหมายข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล)

The legal framework allegedly violated by the Election Commission through the use of barcodes on ballots that enable voter tracking.

PDPA

Abbreviation for the Personal Data Protection Act, the specific legislation cited in the complaint against the Election Commission.

February 16, 2026(วันที่ 16 ก.พ. 2026)

The date when Prasit Patamapadungsak filed his legal complaint against the Election Commission.

February 15, [previous year indicating the context](วันที่ 15 ก.พ. ที่ผ่านมา)

The date when Prasit Patamapadungsak previously filed reasons for his complaint with the Administrative Court.