thailandedition
Senator Sues EC Over Barcode, Demands Election Nullification

Senator Sues EC Over Barcode, Demands Election Nullification

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

A reserve senator has filed a lawsuit against the Election Commission at the Supreme Administrative Court, alleging the inclusion of barcodes and QR codes on election ballots violates secrecy and the constitution, and is demanding the election results be invalidated.

  • •Reserve Senator Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun is suing the Election Commission (EC).
  • •The lawsuit concerns the inclusion of barcodes and QR codes on MP election ballots.
  • •The senator argues this violates secret voting and the constitution, demanding nullification of results from February 1 and 8, 2026.
  • •The EC's justification of security is dismissed by the senator as illogical.

Overview

  • •On February 16, 2026, at 12:30 PM, Mr. Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun, a reserve senator, announced his lawsuit.
  • •Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun filed a lawsuit against the Election Commission (EC), the EC Office, and the Secretary-General of the EC.
  • •The lawsuit cites the printing of barcodes and QR codes on MP election ballots, which Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun argues violates the principle of secret voting and the constitution.
  • •Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun requested the court to declare MP election ballots from February 1 and 8, 2026, as invalid and uncounted.
  • •Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun requested the court order the EC to publicly destroy the aforementioned ballots.
  • •Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun requested the court to order the respondents to jointly compensate for the costs of a new election.
  • •Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun argued the EC's explanation of security and prevention of fake ballots was unsubstantiated, pointing to the absence of such codes on referendum ballots.
  • •Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun expressed concerns that the barcodes and QR codes could compromise voter safety and facilitate vote buying, as ballot images could be traced back to individuals.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Thairath (Thai Version)Read on Thairath (English Version)

Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun
"Although the EC previously clarified via media on February 13, 2026, that it was done for security and to prevent fake ballots, this is an unsubstantiated argument, as no barcodes or QR codes were printed on the referendum ballots at all, hinting at corrupt intent specifically targeting the MP election."
แม้ทาง กกต. จะเคยชี้แจงผ่านสื่อเมื่อวันที่ 13 กุมภาพันธ์ 2026 ว่าทำไปเพื่อรักษาความปลอดภัยและป้องกันบัตรปลอม แต่เป็นข้ออ้างที่ฟังไม่ขึ้น เพราะในการลงคะแนนออกเสียงประชามติกลับไม่มีการพิมพ์บาร์โค้ด หรือคิวอาร์โค้ดลงในบัตรแต่อย่างใด ส่อให้เห็นเจตนาทุจริต เจาะจงเฉพาะการเลือกตั้ง สส.

Key Entities

Person

Akkrawat Pongthanachalitthikun(อัครวัฒน์ พงศ์ธนาชลิตกุล)
A reserve senator who filed a lawsuit against the Election Commission concerning ballot barcodes and QR codes.
Secretary-General of the EC(เลขาธิการ กกต.)
The Secretary-General of the Election Commission, named as a respondent in a lawsuit concerning the printing of barcodes and QR codes on election ballots.

Organization

Election Commission (EC)(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง (กกต.))ℹ️
The organization being sued by a reserve senator for alleged infringements on secret voting and the constitution through the use of barcodes and QR codes on election ballots.
EC Office(สำนักงาน กกต.)
The office of the Election Commission, named as a respondent in a lawsuit regarding ballot security features.

Place

Supreme Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองสูงสุด)
The court where a reserve senator has filed a lawsuit against the Election Commission challenging the legitimacy of MP election ballots.

Law

Organic Act on the Election of Members of Parliament B.E. 2018(พระราชบัญญัติประกอบรัฐธรรมนูญว่าด้วยการเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร พ.ศ. 2018)
The law cited in a lawsuit against the Election Commission for alleged violations related to the impartiality and secrecy of elections.