What are the consequences of not voting in the 2026 referendum? What political rights are lost? Through which channels can excuses be reported, and what is the deadline for notifying about not voting?
On 5 February 2026, after the Election Commission (EC) scheduled the general election for members of the House of Representatives on Sunday, 8 February 2026, it was also determined that a constitutional referendum would be held on the same day. Voters will indicate approval or disapproval by marking an X. The advance voting on 1 February included only constituency-based and party-list elections for the House of Representatives. Voters eligible to participate in the referendum must do so on 8 February at their designated polling stations or at the registered out-of-area referendum voting locations.
Regarding the referendum voting process, if a voter does not cast their referendum vote, they must report the reason for not voting. The notification deadlines are as follows:
2.1 Report electronically via
2.2 Submit in person.
2.3 Authorize another person to submit on your behalf in writing.
2.4 Send by registered mail.
For options 2.2 to 2.4, the form A.S. 2/2 (attached document) must be submitted, or a written letter specifying the national ID number, registered address, and the reason for being unable to vote.
Eligible voters who do not vote in the referendum and fail to report a valid reason will face political rights restrictions as follows:
(1) Being ineligible to run for election as a member of the House of Representatives, local council member, local executive, or as a member of the Senate.
(2) Being ineligible to run for positions of village headman or subdistrict chief under local administration laws.
(3) Being ineligible to propose petitions to the Cabinet under Section 9(5) concerning citizen-initiated referendums according to Election Commission regulations.
(4) Being ineligible to hold political appointments under laws governing political officials and parliamentary political officials.
(5) Being ineligible to hold positions such as deputy local executive, secretary or assistant secretary to local executives, chief advisor, advisor, or member of advisory committees to local executives under local administrative organization laws.
The restrictions on political rights last for two years from the date of the referendum in which the voter failed to vote. If the person again fails to vote in the subsequent referendum, the restriction period will reset starting from the new non-voting date. Any remaining time from the previous restriction period will be terminated.