The Election Commission (EC) revealed that the first day of party-list MP candidate registration went smoothly, with 32 parties submitting a total of 68 prime ministerial candidates. They are confident the election can be held on 8 Feb 2026 despite border incidents.
On 28 Dec 2025 at 12:00 PM, Mr. Saweang Bunmee, Secretary-General of the EC, summarized the first day of party-list MP candidate registration, stating that everything proceeded smoothly with cooperation from political parties, supporters, and the media. All 52 parties submitted complete documents. Additionally, 32 parties proposed a total of 68 prime ministerial candidates. Parties that have not yet submitted names can do so until the final registration deadline of 31 Dec 2025 at 4:00 PM.
Regarding campaign policies under Section 57, a committee will be established to verify whether each party has provided sufficient information for voters to study and make informed choices. The committee will include representatives from various bodies such as the Budget Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, National Economic and Social Development Council, Bank of Thailand, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, and experts like Professor Veera Theeraphat, who will be invited to review party policies. During the campaign, parties may promote their platforms but must clearly separate expenses related to election campaigning from those for the referendum campaign.
When asked about the border situation, Mr. Saweang said the EC intends to hold the election on 8 Feb 2026 and believes conditions will be ready by then. Whether the election is postponed or not must be conducted honestly and fairly. Even if only some polling units are postponed, as of now, the EC is confident it can organize the election on 8 Feb 2026.
Regarding overseas voting, a specific meeting was held on this topic. It was affirmed that everyone is committed to facilitating voting rights, learning from past experiences where citizens could vote conveniently while preserving the intent of the ballot. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs faces challenges because the referendum votes must be counted abroad, while party-list MP votes are counted in Thailand. The Ministry has promised to improve the process from before.
About military and health officials stationed at the borders, Mr. Saweang said efforts are underway to facilitate these individuals’ voting rights as much as possible. Plans are being designed and consultations with security agencies are ongoing to find a lawful and convenient method. There is time to discuss and provide updates on progress.
Concerning Thai citizens residing in Cambodia, Mr. Saweang said it is still unclear how voting will be arranged. Wherever consulates exist, registration and voting for both election types will be organized. He added that challenges will be monitored, and each country may design its voting procedures differently.
Finally, regarding the referendum campaign by political parties, it was confirmed that parties may advocate for approval or disapproval of referendum options but must not use deceptive methods or provide false information.