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Lawyer Demands EC Barcode Ballots Judged by Constitutional Court

Lawyer Demands EC Barcode Ballots Judged by Constitutional Court

Khaosod•Politics•11h ago

Reader Briefing

A prominent lawyer has called for a constitutional ruling on the Election Commission's use of QR codes on ballots, citing concerns about voting secrecy and potential rights violations.

  • •Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch has petitioned the Ombudsman to forward a case to the Constitutional Court regarding the Election Commission's (EC) practice of printing QR codes on election ballots.
  • •The core issue is whether the QR codes compromise the secrecy of votes, potentially violating Article 85 of the Constitution.
  • •Ronnarong Kaewpetch also filed a criminal complaint against the EC for malfeasance under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.
  • •The lawyer argues that the traceability enabled by the QR codes infringes upon citizens' fundamental right to a secret ballot.

Overview

  • •On February 17, 2026, Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch visited the Office of the Ombudsman to submit a petition.
  • •Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch filed a formal complaint with the Ombudsman requesting the Constitutional Court's adjudication.
  • •The petition was lodged due to concerns that the EC's use of QR codes on ballots compromises voter privacy and potentially violates Article 85 of the Constitution.
  • •Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch stated that the QR codes allow traceability, questioning if the election was kept secret.
  • •On February 13, 2026, Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch filed a police report alleging malfeasance against the EC.
  • •The legal action stems from the belief that the EC's regulations concerning QR codes on ballots may be unconstitutional.
  • •Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch emphasized that voting is a constitutional freedom, and the need to know a voter's choice is unnecessary.
  • •Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch wants the EC to respond to the Ombudsman immediately regarding the legality of its QR code regulations.

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Key Quotes

Ronnarong Kaewpetch
"The inclusion of QR codes allowing traceability, even though the EC claims it's legal and compliant, is why I'm submitting this to the Ombudsman. How do the EC's regulations and laws violate the constitution, and how do citizens' rights get affected by a non-secret election?"
การที่ระบุคิวอาร์โค้ดและสามารถตรวจสอบย้อนกลับได้ แม้กกต.จะบอกว่าถูกกฎหมาย ถูกระเบียบดันนั้นจึงยื่นต่อผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน ระเบียบและกฎหมายต่างๆ ที่กกต.ได้ทำออกมาขัดต่อรัฐธรรมนูญอย่างไร และประชาชนกระทบสิทธิอย่างไร กับการเลือกตั้งที่ไม่เป็นความลับ
Ronnarong Kaewpetch
"We are merely asserting our voting rights. Why does anyone need to know what color underwear we are wearing? It's not necessary, as it's a constitutional freedom to choose any party we like or dislike."
เราแค่ทวงถามสิทธิเลือกตั้งเราว่า ทำไมต้องอยากรู้ว่าเราใส่กางเกงในสีอะไร ไม่ต้องรู้ขนาดนั้นไม่จำเป็น เพราะเป็นสิทธิเสรีภาพตามรัฐธรรมนูญที่เรามีสิทธิ์จะเลือกชอบหรือไม่ชอบพรรคไหนก็ได้

Key Entities

Person

Ronnarong Kaewpetch(ทนายรณณรงค์ แก้วเพ็ชร์)
A prominent lawyer who filed a petition against the Election Commission's use of QR codes on election ballots.

Organization

Ombudsman(ผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน)
Received a petition from Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch requesting the Constitutional Court to rule on the EC's QR code ballots.
Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)
The court that Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch is requesting to adjudicate the legality of the Election Commission's barcoded ballots.
Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)
The election body whose practice of printing QR codes on ballots is being challenged for potentially violating voting secrecy.

Law

Constitution Article 85(รัฐธรรมนูญ มาตรา 85)
The constitutional article concerning the secrecy of elections that Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch alleges is violated by the EC's QR code ballots.
Criminal Code Article 157(ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา มาตรา 157)
The legal provision under which Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch filed a complaint against the Election Commission for malfeasance.