Police have charged the official under Section 23 of the Election Act for destroying ballots and have forwarded the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to pursue Section 157 charges against a Provincial Waterworks Authority official in Phayao District 1 who attempted to deposit 14 ballots into the ballot box.
On 11 Feb 2026, reporters reported that a Provincial Waterworks Authority official from Unit 6, District 1, Phayao Province, tore up over 14 ballots, including party-list and constituency ballots, and marked votes for a political party. The official then took advantage of the lunch break when other officials were eating to attempt to place the ballots into the ballot box. However, other election unit officials noticed the irregularity and were able to detain the official.
Recently, investigators from Mueang Phayao Police Station summoned other election officials, including the election unit chairperson, to provide additional testimony as witnesses. Reporters found one of the election committee members present, but the individual declined to provide any information, stating they were only there to give testimony regarding a drug case.
Pol. Col. Chalermchat Yawichai, Superintendent of Mueang Phayao Police Station, said that 11 witnesses have been interviewed, all providing consistent accounts. The incident occurred around midday when some officials were taking turns for lunch, while others remained on duty to assist the public. The election unit chairperson noticed the irregularity because the official was about to deposit ballots into the box. Upon observing this, the chairperson detained the official. All witnesses confirmed that the official had not yet placed the ballots into the box.
The election official initially admitted to the act, stating the motive was support for political party number 46. However, during the investigation, the official denied all allegations and intends to provide testimony only in court. This is the suspect's right, but police will continue to investigate and gather evidence.
Meanwhile, the case file has been compiled and forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission because, although the official is an ordinary citizen, they were appointed as a PWA official, which classifies them as a government worker. Therefore, they may be charged under Section 157 for neglecting official duties. Additionally, the police station has filed charges under Section 23 of the Election Act for the offense of destroying election ballots.