Election prohibitions for 2026 The election for Members of Parliament and the referendum on 8 February 2026 is an important day that eligible voters should understand and strictly follow the law. Besides checking voter registration and voting procedures,
it is essential to understand the prohibitions on advance voting days, general election day, and referendum day in 2026, as violations may result in imprisonment, fines, or loss of voting rights. Thairath Online summarizes the top 10 important election day prohibitions for 2026 as follows.
The law prohibits all forms of campaigning from 6:00 p.m. on the day before election day (7 February 2026) until the polls close. This includes speeches, distributing materials, posting signs, wearing campaign clothing or accessories, and publishing campaign messages or media online.
Additionally, on election days (1 and 8 February 2026), candidates, political parties, campaign helpers, or anyone else are forbidden from campaigning inside or near polling stations. This includes handing out materials, using vehicles with campaign signs, using loudspeakers, or holding campaign events.
From 7 days before election day (1–8 February 2026), it is forbidden to publish opinion surveys or polls that could influence voters’ decisions, regardless of the media or channel used.
Deliberately destroying, damaging, invalidating a ballot, or repairing an invalid ballot to make it valid is against the law.
Making marks, writing, or placing symbols other than those legally allowed on ballots may invalidate the ballot and violate election law.
Ballots must remain within polling stations unless handled by authorized officials performing their duties as prescribed by law.
It is not permitted to photograph marked ballots or show them to others to reveal voting choices, to protect ballot secrecy.
Election law forbids organizing transportation or gathering people to vote or participate in the referendum if it involves coercion, inducement, or directing votes in any way. Such acts are illegal.
Voters should avoid wearing shirts or accessories with party names, logos, numbers, or candidate images on voting day to prevent being seen as campaigning.
Offering money, property, or any benefit to persuade voters to vote for or against any candidate is a serious offense punishable by imprisonment, fines, and possible loss of voting rights under the law.
Exercising the right to vote is a fundamental right but must be done within the legal framework. Before entering the polling booth on advance voting day (1 February 2026)and on general election day- and referendum day (8 February 2026), voters should study and understand these prohibitions to ensure the election proceeds honestly, fairly, and without infringing their own rights.
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