Senate Committee Summons EC Chief Over Recount Case

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

A Senate committee is investigating the Election Commission's legal action against individuals who demanded a recount in Chonburi's Constituency 1, amid concerns that ballot barcodes compromise election secrecy.

•The Senate Committee on Political Development will summon EC Secretary-General Sa-wang Boonmee on February 17.
•The committee will address the EC's legal action against citizens who petitioned for a recount in Chonburi Constituency 1.
•Concerns have been raised about ballot barcodes potentially revealing how individuals voted, undermining the secrecy of the ballot.

Overview

•On February 17, the Senate Committee on Political Development is scheduled to convene.
•The committee will summon Sa-wang Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, for clarification.
•The meeting is to address the Election Commission's legal action against citizens who requested a vote recount in Chonburi Constituency 1.
•Concerns exist that barcodes on ballots may compromise the secrecy of voting.
•Senator Noraset Pracharak stated that if voter choices can be traced, it is no longer a secret ballot election.
•Senator Noraset Pracharak believes that if voting is not secret, the election is ruined, potentially leading to vote buying and coercion.
•The committee will also hear from the director of elections for Chonburi Constituency 1 and legal representatives from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center.
•Individuals affected by the EC's legal action will also be invited to provide statements.

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Key Quotes

Senator Noraset Pracharak

"The case where election votes can be traced back to know who voted for whom is no longer a secret ballot election."

กรณีที่คะแนนเลือกตั้งย้อนรู้ได้ว่าใครเลือกใคร ไม่ใช่การเลือกตั้งโดยลับอีกต่อไป

Senator Noraset Pracharak

"The question is, where is the secrecy?"

คำถามคือความลับอยู่ตรงไหน

Senator Noraset Pracharak

"When the public's vote is no longer secret, it means this election is completely ruined."

พอการออกเสียงเลือกตั้งของประชาชนไม่ใช่ความลับ เท่ากับการเลือกตั้งครั้งนี้พังเรียบร้อย

Key Entities

Organization

Senate Committee on Political Development(กมธ.พัฒนาการเมืองฯ สว.)

A Senate committee investigating political development and public participation.

Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)

The electoral body facing scrutiny for legal action against citizens demanding a recount.

Thammasat University(มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)ℹ️

The university where law academic Pringya Devahastin Na Ayudhya is affiliated.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center(ศูนย์ทนายความเพื่อสิทธิมนุษยชน)

The legal organization providing representation for citizens involved in the recount petition and facing EC action.

Person

Sa-wang Boonmee(แสวง)

Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC) summoned to clarify legal action against citizens.

Noraset Pracharak(นรเศรษฐ์)

Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development, expressing concerns about election secrecy.

Pringya Devahastin Na Ayudhya(ปริญญา เทวานฤมิตรกุล)

A law academic from Thammasat University whose questions prompted concerns about EC ballot handling procedures.

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

Head of the Litigation Division at the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center, invited to clarify the case.

Mr. Noraset Na Nong Tum(นายนรเศรษฐ์ นาหนองตูม)

A lawyer from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center, invited to clarify the case.

Place

Chonburi Constituency 1(ชลบุรีเขต 1)

The electoral district where citizens petitioned for a recount, leading to legal action by the EC.