Dusit Poll: Majority Worry About Election Opacity and Fraud in 2025, Dissatisfied with Election Commissions Performance

Dusit Poll shows most people worry about lack of transparency and election fraud, indicating dissatisfaction with the Election Commission's work. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction scores are close, with many seeing Thailand's political situation as unchanged.

On 22 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Dusit Poll of Suan Dusit University surveyed 1,231 people nationwide about "Thais and the 8 Feb 2026 Election." The survey was conducted online and in the field from 17 to 20 Feb 2026 GMT+7. The results are summarized as follows.

1. Satisfaction with the management of the 8 Feb 2026 election was rated on a scale of 0 to 10, with the public giving an average score of 5.17.

2. Issues the public was concerned about regarding voting on 8 Feb 2026:

• Rank 1: Lack of transparency and election fraud at 67.99%.
• Rank 2: Complicated procedures or confusion at polling stations at 40.45%.
• Rank 3: Party policies may not be realistically implemented at 40.37%.
• Rank 4: Political conflicts at 37.94%; Rank 5: Political attacks and smear campaigns at 35.09%.

3. Regarding the recent election, How satisfied are people with the Election Commission's (EC) performance?

• Rank 1: Somewhat dissatisfied at 33.68%.
• Rank 2: Quite satisfied at 32.91%.
• Rank 3: Dissatisfied at 26.09%.
• Rank 4: Very satisfied at 7.32%.

4. Public opinion on whether this election will improve Thailand's overall political situation.

• Rank 1: Remain the same at 49.31%.
• Rank 2: Get worse at 31.52%.
• Rank 3: Improve at 19.17%.

Dr. Pornpan Buathong, Chair of Dusit Poll, stated the results reflect that confidence in the election process is still weak. The public closely watches and values honesty, transparency, and election standards. At the same time, many see this election as likely keeping Thailand's political situation unchanged, marking the new government's first test to build trust and turn the status quo into new political hope.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Benjaporn Phungchai, Chair of the Political Science Program at Suan Dusit University's School of Law and Politics, explained that the survey reflects ambivalence and lack of confidence in independent organizations' effectiveness. The Election Commission is likely under social scrutiny on issues that could threaten this election's validity. Only 7.32% of people are satisfied with the EC's work, while 33.68% are somewhat dissatisfied. This aligns with the 67.99% of people concerned about lack of transparency and election fraud on 8 Feb 2026. This indicates Thai society remains trapped in suspicion over state power misuse and dark influence manipulating results. People increasingly see elections as merely rotating players in the same system that does not support genuine reform.

This survey may signal a warning for Thailand's political stability regarding transparency, especially for independent bodies like the Election Commission. The EC must act swiftly, simplify procedures, and most importantly, be appointed and function with integrity to restore public confidence and maintain hope for Thai politics to serve the people and implement promised policies.