Ajarn Jes, the Rakchat Party’s prime ministerial candidate, warns the Election Commission (EC) against prematurely certifying MPs, cautioning that doing so before resolving issues could cause problems. He points out that the EC’s harsh approach in prosecuting citizens risks provoking counter-actions under criminal law Section 157.
On 27 Feb 2026 in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Mr. Jes Tonawanik, Rakchat Party’s prime ministerial candidate, commented on the EC’s announcement certifying the first batch of 396 constituency MPs. He said this move was somewhat premature given unresolved issues and complaints not yet fully investigated by the EC. He suggested the EC might have adopted a ‘certify now, deal later’ approach. Since the election remains unclear and problems unresolved, if MPs enter parliament without resolution, complications will arise. Yellow cards might be manageable, but red cards will definitely cause serious problems.
Mr. Jes said that ultimately, complaints submitted to the EC resemble an autopsy not yet done, but the body was already cremated. This situation could cause trouble for the EC, and at this point, since certification has been announced, the EC must urgently investigate any issues with the certified MPs and act quickly to fix them.
Regarding the EC’s pursuit of legal action against citizens who photograph or share ballot information—even though such materials are official documents—Mr. Jes said the EC should employ administrative measures to halt or discourage these actions rather than aggressively filing criminal complaints. If the EC adopts a harsh stance using criminal law to pressure citizens, it risks facing counter-lawsuits under Section 157 for neglecting duty that leads to ongoing chaos. He urged the EC to remain calm and work constructively to restore their severely diminished public trust.
The EC’s decision to file criminal complaints may be legally justified, but when perceived as excessive, people may retaliate. The EC must be careful because if it accuses others of criminal offenses, it might face accusations under Section 157 for neglect of duty. This could perpetuate disorder. Mutual understanding and cooperation are necessary.
Mr. Jes said that regarding ballot transparency, the EC need not wait for others to prove anything. The EC should proactively disclose what each ballot looks like, its colors, and its uses to prevent confusion at the outset. There is no need for excessive proof over ballots; this approach would resolve issues. People interested can take reasonable photos without causing disturbances at polling stations. This cooperation will help ensure elections are conducted honestly and fairly.