Somchai Srisutthiyakorn expects the Constitutional Court to review the QR code election ballot case within one month at the earliest. He advises the government to fully demonstrate its governing capabilities and believes there may be efforts to prolong this issue as long as possible.
On 18 March 2026, Assoc. Prof. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, former member of the Election Commission (EC), and Mr. Jatuporn Prompan, speaker of the People's Integration Group, spoke on the Thairath Newsroom program hosted by Mr. Pongsakorn Satyaprasert regarding the Constitutional Court's 6:3 decision to accept the Ombudsman's petition about ballots containing barcodes and QR codes. The court requested involved parties to submit explanations within 15 days. Assoc. Prof. Somchai said that nothing exciting is expected during the initial 15-day period. The court must first receive evidence from relevant agencies. If no extension is requested, the court is expected to spend 7 days on inquiry and another 7 days on judgment. The court will also decide if the evidence is sufficient to schedule a verdict session. The earliest the case will conclude is in about one month, giving Anutin an opportunity to demonstrate his government's management skills fully within this period.
Assoc. Prof. Somchai stated, "All seven EC commissioners cannot deny responsibility for the ballot issue, even if they claim it was proposed by the printing house, because it must still be approved by all seven commissioners, the EC secretary, and the organization as a whole, all of whom share responsibility."
Mr. Jatuporn said the entire process from now on should not exceed one month, emphasizing the importance of state stability first. He believes the EC will request a 15-day extension, which the Constitutional Court is likely to grant once, totaling a one-month review period. Afterward, the court will decide whether to suspend the duties of all 499 MPs. Though the situation may seem settled, the court may not rule so straightforwardly. Even though Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Bowornsak Uwanno has expressed an opinion that the election is not invalid, and former Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has said it is invalid—both legal experts—there is currently an energy crisis, and the government must demonstrate problem-solving within this limited time if the court orders a suspension.
Assoc. Prof. Somchai also remarked that from a strategic perspective, there may be attempts to prolong this case as much as possible by each side presenting witnesses.He believeseach side will present extensively, possibly 30 to 40 witnesses, to extend the inquiry process. Whether the court will allow this is uncertain, but there may be visible extensions ranging from one to one and a half months.Therefore,if a government is to be formed, efforts must be made promptly and fully. The parliament should actively propose legislation, and civil servants should not be idle. Thailand cannot afford to wait now. Somchai hopes all parties will work diligently. It remains to be seen how many witnesses the court will allow. Even if the EC proposes many, the court may permit zero, one, or two witnesses only.