Election 2026: The final day, 15 February, to report reasons for not voting in the MP election and the referendum. Procedures and channels are disclosed, with a reminder that failure to report will lead to loss of political rights due to non-participation.
On 15 February 2026, after the advance voting on 1 February and the general election for members of the House of Representatives, as well as the referendum held on Sunday, 8 February 2026, it is emphasized that citizens who did not participate in voting for MPs or in the referendum must report their reasons. Today (15 February) is the last day to do so.
If there is a valid reason preventing participation in voting for MPs or in the referendum, one can report the reason according to the following steps.
1. In cases where one cannot vote in the MP election. Eligible voters can report their reasons for being unable to vote 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 Authorize another person to submit on your behalf in writing.
For submissions via 1.2–1.4, the voter must submit form MP 1/8 (attached document) or a written letter specifying:
If an eligible voter does not vote in the MP election and fails to report a valid reason, or reports an invalid reason, the following political rights restrictions will apply:
(1) The right to file an objection petition against the MP election results.
(2) The right to run for election as a member of the House of Representatives, local council member, local executive, or as a senator.
(3) The right to run for village headman or subdistrict chief under the local administration law.
(4) The right to hold political official positions under laws governing political officials and parliamentary political officials.
(5) The right to hold positions such as deputy local executive, local executive secretary, assistant secretary, local executive advisor chairman, advisor, or member of the advisory committee under the local government establishment law.
The restrictions last for two years from the election date missed. If the person again fails to vote in the next election, the restriction period resets from the new missed election date. Any remaining restriction time from the prior penalty is terminated.
2. In cases where one cannot vote in the referendum, eligible voters can report their reasons for non-participation.
Channels for reporting reasons are as follows.
2.1 Report electronically via:
2.2 Submit in person.
2.3 Authorize another person in writing to submit on your behalf.
2.4 Send by registered mail.
For submissions via 2.2–2.4, form Ref 2/2 (attached document) or a letter must be submitted specifying:
If an eligible voter does not vote in the referendum and fails to report a valid reason, the following political rights restrictions apply:
(1) The right to run for election as a member of the House of Representatives, local council member, local executive, or senator.
(2) The right to run for village headman or subdistrict chief under the local administration law.
(3) The right to propose names to the Cabinet under Section 9(5) (which provides for public proposals to the Cabinet for approval of referendums, according to criteria and procedures set by the Election Commission).
(4) The right to hold political official positions under laws governing political officials and parliamentary political officials.
(5) The right to hold positions such as deputy local executive, local executive secretary, assistant secretary, local executive advisor chairman, advisor, or member of the advisory committee under the local government establishment law.
The restrictions last for two years from the referendum date missed. If the person again fails to vote in the next referendum, the restriction period resets from the new missed referendum date. Any remaining restriction time from the prior penalty is terminated.