The Election Commission issued a clarification stating that the barcodes on ballots are anti-counterfeiting and anti-fraud measures and do not affect the constitutional principles of direct and secret voting.
On 14 Feb 2026 at 16:30, the Election Commission's Anti-Fake News Center released a statement addressing reports from various sources claiming that the barcodes printed on parliamentary election ballots as a security measure might compromise direct and secret voting. The EC clarified that the voting process for this parliamentary election remains "direct and secret" as mandated by the constitution. Voters must personally cast their ballots alone inside the booth and insert the ballot themselves. Voters are prohibited from revealing or photographing their marked ballots to indicate their chosen candidate, guaranteeing voter independence and security, which cannot be known or verified by others.
Furthermore, the EC has anti-fraud measures in place. Under the Parliamentary Election Act B.E. 2561 (2018) and related regulations, the EC is authorized to specify the design of ballots and may include “codes, symbols, or special text” to verify authenticity and prevent ballots from being taken out of the polling station. These codes serve to control ballot quantity, distinguish ballot types by district, and prevent fraud.
Additionally, after counting, ballots, stubs, and election-related documents are sealed in transparent bags secured with tamper-evident ties signed by officials, then placed in ballot boxes sealed again. No one is allowed to open these boxes, which are stored securely at designated locations following EC regulations.
Therefore, the inclusion of codes on ballots is a security measure against counterfeiting and fraud and does not infringe upon the constitutional principle of direct and secret voting. Voters can confidently exercise their rights, assured that their votes will be fully protected by law.