2026 Election: The Election Commission clarifies the procedures, time limits, and channels for reporting reasons for "not voting in the MP election" before and within 7 days after election day. It also emphasizes that valid reasons must be reported for "not voting in the referendum." Reporting is allowed until 15 February 2026.
On 3 February 2026, following the advance voting on 1 February and ahead of the general election for members of the House of Representatives and the referendum scheduled for Sunday, 8 February 2026, the Election Commission invites eligible voters for both the MP election and referendum to exercise their rights from 08:00 to 17:00 at their designated polling stations. Vote counting will begin immediately after the polls close.
The Election Commission also stresses that if there is a valid reason preventing a person from voting in the MP election or participating in the referendum, they can report their inability to vote by following these steps.
1. Case of being unable to vote in the MP election. Eligible voters can report their reasons for being unable to vote in the MP election as follows.
Channels for reporting reasons.
1.1 Report electronically via
1.2 Submit in person to the district registrar or local registrar.
1.3 Send by registered mail.
1.4 Submit by authorized representative.
For submissions via 1.2–1.4, Form MP 1/8 (attached document) must be submitted or a letter specifying the following:
If an eligible voter does not vote in the MP election and fails to report a valid reason, or the reason given is not acceptable, the following rights will be restricted:
(1) Filing objections against the MP election results.
(2) Running for election as a member of the House of Representatives, local council member, local executive, or member of the Senate.
(3) Running for village headman or subdistrict headman under local administrative law.
(4) Holding a political government official position under laws governing political officials and parliamentary political officials.
(5) Holding positions such as deputy local executive, local executive secretary, assistant secretary, local executive officer, chairman or advisor to local executives, or advisory committees under local administrative organization laws.
Restrictions last for 2 years from the election date when the voter failed to vote. If the person again fails to vote in the next election, the restriction period restarts from that new election date. Any remaining restriction time from the previous period will end.
2. Case of being unable to vote in the referendum. Eligible referendum voters can report their reasons for being unable to vote.
Channels for reporting reasons are as follows.
2.1 Report electronically via
2.2 Submit in person.
2.3 Submit by authorized representative.
2.4 Send by registered mail.
For submissions via 2.2–2.4, Form Ref 2/2 (attached document) must be submitted or a letter specifying the following:
If an eligible referendum voter fails to vote and does not report a valid reason, the following rights will be restricted:
(1) Running for election as a member of the House of Representatives, local council member, local executive, or member of the Senate.
(2) Running for village headman or subdistrict headman under local administrative law.
(3) Initiating a proposal to the Cabinet under Section 9(5) regarding public proposals to the Cabinet for approval of referendums, according to criteria set by the Election Commission.
(4) Holding a political government official position under laws governing political officials and parliamentary political officials.
(5) Holding positions such as deputy local executive, local executive secretary, assistant secretary, local executive officer, chairman or advisor to local executives, or advisory committees under local administrative organization laws.
Restrictions last for 2 years from the referendum date when the voter failed to vote. If the person again fails to vote in the next referendum, the restriction period restarts from that new date. Any remaining restriction time from the previous period will end.