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Public Demands EC Accountability Over Election Irregularities in 2026

Public Demands EC Accountability Over Election Irregularities in 2026

Thansettakij•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Civil society groups and election candidates are urging the Election Commission (EC) to take responsibility for alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency during the 2026 elections, demanding accountability and potentially new elections.

  • •Public and candidate groups are protesting alleged flaws in the 2026 election process, including ballot discrepancies and barcode concerns.
  • •Demands are being made for the Election Commission (EC) to address issues of transparency and restore public confidence.
  • •Specific concerns include the handling of vote counts, voter observation limitations, and the potential for voter identification through ballot barcodes.
  • •Calls for accountability range from EC resignations to the possibility of new elections if significant irregularities are proven.

Overview

  • •On February 16, 2026, the We Watch group and civil society organizations submitted a letter and read a statement to the Election Commission (EC) to demand accountability.
  • •The We Watch group stated that the election process lacked transparency from beginning to end, citing various issues resulting in a widespread crisis of confidence.
  • •The We Watch group urged the EC to urgently disclose 100% of official vote results and related unit-level summary documents for public inspection.
  • •Veeraphat Kantha, a candidate for MP in Constituency 6, Samut Prakan, submitted a request for a recount and investigation into discarded election documents.
  • •Prassit Patthumphadingsak, an MP candidate from Pathum Thani, formally requested an investigation into whether barcode printing on ballots violates personal data protection laws.
  • •The EC has previously stated that some issues were due to technical errors, but the lack of verifiable transparency has impacted public trust.
  • •Concerns have been raised that ballot barcodes could potentially link to individual voters, posing risks to personal data and fair political practices.
  • •Prassit Patthumphadingsak has filed a petition with the Administrative Court seeking to investigate both administrative and criminal liabilities.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Quotes

We Watch and Civil Society Network
"If confidence from the public cannot be restored, resignation should be considered."
หากไม่สามารถเรียกความเชื่อมั่นจากประชาชนกลับคืนมาได้ ควรพิจารณาลาออก
We Watch
"This election process lacked transparency from start to finish."
กระบวนการจัดการเลือกตั้งครั้งนี้ขาดความโปร่งใสตั้งแต่ต้นทางถึงปลายทาง
Veeraphat Kantha, Constituency 6 MP Candidate, People's Party
"Demanding a new election if clear irregularities are found."
เรียกร้องให้มีการเลือกตั้งใหม่หากพบความผิดปกติชัดเจน
Prasit Patthumphadingsak, Pathum Thani MP Candidate
"Polling booths should be safe spaces, not surveillance areas."
คูหาเลือกตั้งควรเป็นพื้นที่ปลอดภัย ไม่ใช่พื้นที่สอดแนม

Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission (EC)(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง (กกต.))ℹ️
The official body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Thailand, currently facing scrutiny over the 2026 election process.
We Watch Group(กลุ่ม We Watch)
A civil society organization that monitors elections and has submitted a formal complaint to the EC regarding irregularities in the 2026 elections.
Civil Society Organizations Network(เครือข่ายองค์กรภาคประชาชน)
A collective of public sector organizations that, along with We Watch, has called for accountability from the EC concerning election issues.
People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)
The political party that Veeraphat Kantha is a candidate for in Constituency 6, Samut Prakan.
Administrative Court(ศาลปกครอง)ℹ️
The court to which Prasit Patthumphadingsak has filed a petition concerning election irregularities and potential legal liabilities.

Person

Veeraphat Kantha(นายวีระภัทร คันธะ)
A candidate for Member of Parliament (MP) for Constituency 6, Samut Prakan, representing the People's Party, who has requested a vote recount.
Prasit Patthumphadingsak(นายประสิทธิ์ ปัทมผดุงศักดิ์)
A candidate for Member of Parliament (MP) for Pathum Thani, who has lodged a complaint regarding the use of barcodes on ballots and their potential privacy implications.

Place

Constituency 6, Samut Prakan(เขต 6 สมุทรปราการ)
The electoral district in Samut Prakan province where Veeraphat Kantha is a candidate.
Pathum Thani(ปทุมธานี)ℹ️
The province for which Prasit Patthumphadingsak is a candidate for MP.
Lat Luang Municipality(เทศบาลเมืองลัดหลวง)
A municipality in Samut Prakan province where election-related documents were reportedly found discarded.

Law

Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2019 (PDPA)(พระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล พ.ศ. 2019)ℹ️
The Thai law that protects personal data, which Prasit Patthumphadingsak has cited in his complaint regarding ballot barcodes.