Senator: EC suit aims to silence citizens over Chonburi ballot box incident

Thairath•Politics•11h ago

Reader Briefing

A Thai senator criticizes the Election Commission for suing citizens who inspected ballot boxes, raising concerns about EC independence amidst upcoming appointments.

•Senator Nanthana Nanthawaropas defends citizens sued by the Chonburi Election Commission for inspecting ballot boxes, arguing their actions were for transparency.
•The senator highlights that the ballot box in question was found already opened, contradicting the EC's charges of trespassing and obstruction.
•Concerns are raised about the upcoming appointment of two new Election Commissioners, which could give the current Senate a significant majority on the EC, potentially impacting its independence.
•The Senate is scheduled to convene a special session on February 26 to consider these appointments.

Overview

•Nanthana Nanthawaropas, a Senator, defended citizens sued by the Chonburi Election Commission due to alleged trespassing and obstruction.
•The citizens allegedly inspected ballot boxes in Chonburi, which Senator Nanthana claims was to uncover looseness and flaws by EC officials.
•Senator Nanthana stated that the ballot box in question was already found unsealed and opened, not closed as per regulations.
•Senator Nanthana asserted that the EC is using the law to silence citizens who are helping to check transparency, which is unfair.
•The Senate is scheduled to hold a special session on February 26 to consider appointing two additional Election Commissioners.
•If approved, the two new appointments could result in the current Senate having a majority of 5 out of 7 commissioners on the Election Commission.
•Senator Nanthana warned that society must question the independence and transparency of future election results given the potential for a dominant majority on the EC.

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Key Quotes

Nanthana Nanthawaropas

"The act of the EC using the law to silence citizens who help check transparency is extremely incorrect and unfair."

การที่ กกต. นำกฎหมายมาฟ้องปิดปากประชาชนที่ช่วยตรวจสอบความโปร่งใสจึงเป็นเรื่องที่ไม่ถูกต้องและไม่เป็นธรรมอย่างยิ่ง

Nanthana Nanthawaropas

"If these two more people are approved, it means absolute majority control in the independent organization immediately, and society must question the link between the individuals' origins and future election results, whether they will truly remain independent and transparent."

ถ้าโหวตผ่านอีก 2 คนนี้ จะเท่ากับว่ามีเสียงข้างมากเด็ดขาดในองค์กรอิสระทันที ซึ่งสังคมต้องตั้งคำถามถึงความเชื่อมโยงระหว่างที่มาของตัวบุคคลกับผลการเลือกตั้งที่จะเกิดขึ้นหลังจากนี้ ว่าจะยังคงความอิสระและโปร่งใสได้จริงหรือไม่

Key Entities

Person

New Senator(สว.พันธุ์ใหม่)

A senator who spoke out against the Election Commission's actions and expressed concerns about EC independence.

Nanthana Nanthawaropas(นันทนา นันทวโรภาส)

A Senator who defended citizens and criticized the Election Commission's legal actions and upcoming appointments.

Organization

Election Commission(กกต.)ℹ️

The Thai electoral body facing accusations of overreach and whose appointments are under scrutiny.

Chonburi Election Commission(กกต.ชลบุรี)

The provincial branch of the Election Commission that filed a complaint against citizens.

Place

District 1, Chonburi Province(เขต 1 จ.ชลบุรี)

The specific electoral district in Chonburi Province where the ballot box inspection incident occurred.

The Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where Senator Nanthana Nanthawaropas gave her statement.

Timeline

February 17, 2026(วันที่ 17 กุมภาพันธ์ 2026)

The date Senator Nanthana Nanthawaropas provided her statement regarding the Chonburi election incident.

February 26(วันที่ 26 กุมภาพันธ์)

The scheduled date for the Senate's special session to consider new Election Commissioner candidates.