Chairman Narong declared that holding the MP elections alongside the referendum represents a success for all Thais. The Election Commission issued guidelines for conducting elections in seven conflict-affected provinces, facilitating early voting for people in evacuation centers outside their constituencies.
At 09:30 on 26 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the Election Commission (EC) convened the Steering Committee meeting at Centara Life Hotel, Government Complex, with Narong Klanwarin, EC Chairman, presiding. Representatives from various supporting agencies also attended to coordinate preparations for the MP elections and referendum.
Narong stated that the upcoming MP elections and referendum are crucial national tasks, particularly since the referendum will be held on the same day as the elections, Sunday, 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7, marking a historic first for Thailand. The EC and its staff cannot achieve a perfect election and referendum without cooperation from all sectors. He expressed confidence that with dedicated work and strong support, the elections and referendum will be conducted honestly, fairly, and legally. The sacrifices and commitment of all involved represent a success for the Thai people. He urged this collaborative spirit to strengthen Thailand's democracy and public trust going forward.
Additional reports indicate that the Election Commission issued an announcement outlining procedures for managing MP elections in constituencies affected by unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. The key points assign EC officials and election directors in Chanthaburi, Trat, Buriram, Sisaket, Sa Kaeo, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces—areas impacted by border instability—to carry out election operations as follows.
1. Posting announcements or notices as legally required at polling stations or nearby accessible locations. If it is not possible to post them physically at or near polling stations or convenient public places, announcements may be made through electronic information systems or other accessible methods, which will be considered legally valid.
2. In cases where voter lists and election-related documents are initially delivered to household heads, this should follow legal procedures. If delivery is not possible, the EC must be informed, and the documents securely stored until the situation stabilizes, after which prompt delivery should be completed.
3. Providing officials to assist eligible voters residing in evacuation centers to register and request early voting at central polling stations outside their constituencies, within the timeframe set by the EC's announcement on early voting registration deadlines. Voters are encouraged to register for early voting at safe central polling stations near the unrest-affected constituencies. On early voting days, state agencies will coordinate transportation for voters to these designated stations.
4. For polling units and stations within constituencies still affected by unrest, the EC election officials are authorized to consider relocating polling units and stations to locations that voters and election officers can safely and conveniently access. These relocated polling units and stations must remain within the same constituency, as stipulated by Section 30, paragraph three of the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, B.E. 2561 (2018), and its amendments.
5. Within seven days after the election, coordination with district or local registrars is required to assign officials to assist voters in evacuation centers who did not vote, enabling them to register and report reasons for being unable to vote.