For the 2026 election, the Election Commission of Thailand clarifies that there has been no recount in Chonburi Constituency 1 today. They request two days to examine and consider all facts of the process thoroughly before making a definitive decision. They stress that ordering a recount must be justified with clear reasons and background information.
At 2:00 p.m. on 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Lt. Commander Phasakorn Siriphakayaporn, Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission, spoke at a press conference regarding public calls for a recount. Specifically, calls for a recount of the parliamentary election votes in Chonburi Constituency 1. He explained that voting is an individual right. A recount occurs in cases such as discrepancies between the number of voters and ballots used. The Election Commission must then verify the facts to determine if a re-election or recount is warranted. Additionally, if the election or counting process is found to be improper, the Commission can order a recount or new vote according to procedure.
Lt. Commander Phasakorn added that if voters or the public see any errors or irregularities at any stage, they can immediately object at the polling station. The polling station committee will record the events, including the vote tallying process. This record serves as crucial evidence, akin to a police log, detailing what happened at each station and helping the Commission's consideration. When requesting a recount or new election, the Commission must review such evidence thoroughly. It cannot simply order a recount on arbitrary grounds; there must be valid reasons and origins.
The events in Chonburi Constituency 1 arose partly because some citizens misunderstood or doubted the ballot box consolidation procedure. Voting and counting conclude at each polling station, which then posts the results publicly outside the station. The results from all stations are then sent to the sub-district score center to compile the constituency's overall results. Afterward comes the ballot box consolidation—collecting all counted ballot boxes into one container for safe storage at secure locations such as police stations or district offices with security measures, kept until the objection period ends, about two years. This is the process the public should understand.
Yesterday, during preparations to transport consolidated ballot boxes from Chonburi Constituency 1 to a secure location, misunderstandings arose. While officials prepared and consolidated, some ballot boxes lacked security seals or were not perfectly arranged, as they were still being gathered. However, according to our information, boxes without sealed straps were taped securely around, preventing unauthorized opening.
Regarding media reports about possible changes or alterations to the ballot marking sheets, the Deputy Secretary-General explained that during consolidation, some stations might not fold these sheets inside the ballot boxes. In such cases, the constituency officers collect and secure these sheets similarly to ballots. If there are suspicions of fraud in this process, each station publishes official count reports (Form 5/18 and Form 5/18 Supplement) outside the polling station. Any alteration of scores is impossible since these are publicly visible and verifiable. Materials like sealing straps are part of the consolidation process.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission further stated: Any order for a recount must comply with legal conditions. The authority to order a recount lies with the Election Commission, which bases its decision on evidence, facts, complaints, and objections at each stage, reviewing reports and incident logs to understand the background before deciding.
"Therefore, regarding Chonburi, the reason we cannot immediately order a recount is because the process must be examined by the Commission to verify facts. The Commission is concerned and wants the procedure to be lawful, so I have assigned the Deputy Secretary-General to investigate the process thoroughly to establish the facts, check reports, objections, and any legal violations. This will be completed within two days, after which the situation will be clear," he said.
Simultaneously, the Chonburi Provincial Election Director has been instructed to report the overall vote tally for the province. This will aid the Commission in determining if any irregularities or objections occurred, and whether to suspend results, order a new vote, or a recount, all under legal conditions. He reiterated that in the Chonburi case, everything will be concluded within two days. If the findings warrant it, the Commission will act according to Section 124 of the 2018 Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, but any orders will depend on the legal facts uncovered.
Meanwhile, Mr. Korrchit Charoen-in, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commission, added regarding the investigation in Chonburi that there is a division of authority between the polling station committee and the main Commission. Once the polling station committee completes counting, they verify whether voters correspond to the ballots used. If discrepancies arise, checks can be made. Once ballots are sealed inside the box, the committee's or district Commission's authority ends. Any opening or recount requires justified cause, such as a complaint or the Commission’s own finding of irregularities, which then triggers fact-finding.
. The Commission decided this morning to assign the Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Investigation Division to complete the fact-finding within two days. The results will be known then, based solely on evidence regardless of political affiliations. Although the complainants number in the tens, fairness must be given to both parties, including those accused. We will work around the clock. Regarding whether the evidence and witnesses are sufficient, efforts will be made to expedite the process. The power outage affecting fans during counting at some polling stations is already included in the complaints.