"Wayo" expressed satisfaction with the Anti-Corruption Court's order, pointing out that although the court has not yet formally accepted the case, there is a positive sign as it ordered the Election Commission to respond to the court's questions within one month, indicating the process is underway.
On 24 March 2026 at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Dr. Wayo Aswarungroong, Deputy Leader of the People's Party, attended the court to hear the order regarding the criminal case filed by the People's Party against the Election Commission (EC) and nine others. Today, the court ordered the plaintiff to amend the complaint, specifically regarding the special intent under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, and allowed the addition of any related subordinate laws such as regulations, announcements, and rules to complete the complaint, which he plans to add for greater completeness.
An interesting point is that the court also ordered the EC to clarify preliminary facts. Although there is no formal acceptance of the case yet, the court applied Article 3 of the Supreme Court Regulation No. 2 B.E. 2560 (2017), which allows the parties to provide additional factual clarifications after the complaint is filed. The EC was asked to respond by 24 April 2026, addressing three questions:
1) Regarding conducting elections where voters cast their ballots directly and secretly as per the Constitution, what is the meaning of the word “secret”?
2) In the case of placing QR code symbols on the constituency MP election ballots and barcode symbols on the party-list MP election ballots, under what law, regulation, or order does the EC have the authority to include these symbols on the ballots? Why were these symbols included, and do these symbols reveal which candidate or political party the voter selected?
3) Based on question 2, if the symbols on the two types of ballots can be read to identify which candidate or party a voter selected, under what circumstances does the EC conduct such verifications? What conditions, criteria, and procedures does the EC follow to read these ballot symbols?
Dr. Wayo further stated that it is clear the court is not delaying the case. While it advised the People's Party and the four plaintiffs to amend the complaint for greater completeness within 30 days, it also promptly questioned the EC on three key points, requiring clarification within one month. All this will lead to another court order on 24 June 2026. If they wish to oppose the EC’s explanations, they have until 17 June 2026 to do so.
From experience, today's order is a good sign. The court is opening the opportunity for the People's Party to amend and strengthen the complaint while simultaneously not delaying in questioning the EC on three crucial issues that many citizens and the court want to understand. Although the case has not been formally accepted, the Anti-Corruption Court can investigate and request clarifications from the defendant while the plaintiff amends the complaint, and the plaintiff can also contest the defendant’s responses.
Dr. Wayo also responded to reporters' questions about whether the Constitutional Court's acceptance of a petition would affect this case. He stated they are different cases involving different legal issues. From what he heard in EC Secretary-General Sarawut Bunmee's explanation, it seemed more like an opinion. However, in court—whether the Anti-Corruption Court or Constitutional Court—the EC must answer questions based on evidence and cannot rely solely on its own opinion. Regarding whether the Anti-Corruption Court case would affect politics, he does not believe so. If there is a politically impactful order, he believes it would come from the Constitutional Court, which can annul elections.
Dr. Wayo added that the Anti-Corruption Court does not have judicial power of that nature. This case will likely take at least 5-10 years. Additionally, this case involves the EC and its officials and is not closely related to political parties. However, if the Constitutional Court issues an unfavorable ruling against the EC and the election, necessitating a new election, the facts and rulings of the Constitutional Court would likely bind this case, and he will amend the complaint accordingly if the court allows such additions.