Alcohol sales ban for the 2026 election: The Election Commission emphasized that polling stations for MPs and the referendum are the same locations. Citizens are urged to remember their MP candidate and party numbers carefully before voting to prevent spoiled ballots. They also reiterated that alcohol sales are banned from 18:00 today.
At 10:30 on 7 Feb 2026 at the Election Commission office, Lt. Pasakorn Siripakkayaporn, Deputy Secretary-General of the EC, announced preparations for the MP election and referendum on 8 Feb 2026 nationwide. He stated that 8 Feb marks a historic day with both MP elections and referendum voting held simultaneously at 99,538 polling stations, with about 52 million eligible voters. He asked citizens to cooperate by preparing to vote, checking their assigned voting place, the candidate numbers for district MPs and party lists, as well as referendum questions and identification documents required, including ID cards, driver’s licenses, disability cards, government-issued documents, or digital IDs.
The Deputy Secretary-General emphasized that voters who registered for early voting on 1 Feb but did not vote then will not be allowed to vote in the election on 8 Feb, as their eligibility at their original polling station is forfeited. However, they can still participate in the referendum normally. Meanwhile, citizens who attempted to register for early voting but were unsuccessful or not listed on 1 Feb can vote on 8 Feb at the polling station corresponding to their registered address.
Regarding public confusion about whether polling stations and referendum voting stations are separate, Lt. Pasakorn clarified that for those who did not register for early voting or referendum outside their home district, the polling station remains the same. Separate locations apply only if a voter registered for early voting at a central polling station but did not register for an out-of-district referendum vote, or if they registered for out-of-district referendum voting in another province. Concerning voter lists posted outside polling stations that appear faded and unreadable, officials will post new, clear voter lists on election day.
The Deputy Secretary-General further stated that from 18:00 today, the day before the election, until 18:00 on election day, all sales, distribution, giving away, or serving of all types of alcohol are prohibited nationwide in election areas. He urged caution as violations carry legal penalties. He also reminded all candidates and political parties that all campaigning must cease from 18:00 today, whether positive or negative toward any candidate. He appealed to all citizens to cooperate to ensure a smooth election process.