The Election Commission (EC) has aggressively launched an E-War Room to monitor election campaigning 24 hours a day, while firmly closing the door on extending referendum registration. It emphasized that holding the MP election simultaneously will save the government 4 billion baht.
On 6 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Sa-ngaeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the EC, gave an update on preparations for the upcoming election and referendum scheduled for 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7. He highlighted two main points: enhancing online media monitoring and strictly enforcing registration rules. The EC has launched the Electronic Campaign Management Center (E-War Room) to monitor campaigning by political parties and MP candidates nationwide.
Mr. Sa-ngaeng added that the center will use AI to detect defamatory or false messages. If violations are found, the posts will be immediately ordered removed. The EC will coordinate with social media platforms (Facebook, Line, TikTok) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to trace and prosecute offenders.
Regarding demands to extend the referendum early voting registration, which has recently closed, Mr. Sa-ngaeng firmly stated that extension is not possible due to the time constraints involved in compiling voter lists across more than 100,000 units. Registration takes only 3 minutes, so citizens must take personal responsibility to register on time. He also dismissed concerns about more people registering for early MP voting than for the referendum, viewing it as a personal choice, since some may prefer to vote in the referendum within their original constituencies.
The EC Secretary addressed budget criticisms, explaining that holding the MP election and referendum on the same day costs about 7 billion baht, saving 4 billion baht compared to separate events. The EC is also preparing a demonstration of a “virtual polling station” to guide citizens on how to register twice to receive two types of ballots on the same day.