The Election Commission clarifies the clip showing ballots carried into the Senate election booth, citing the court’s confirmation that it is not illegal, and clears up the issue of collecting ballots as following a board resolution for orderly conduct at polling stations.
On 18 June 2026 at 18:00, the Election Commission’s office issued a statement clarifying facts about operations on the national Senate election day, 26 June 2024, following widespread criticism over videos and audio of Election Commissioners and officials performing their duties. The Commission explained three key points, including the court’s confirmation that "carrying slips into the booth" is not against the law.
The Election Commission stated that bringing documents or slips with candidate names into the Senate election venue is not illegal. The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct ruled clearly in case number At 13/2568 on 28 January 2025 that the 2018 Senate Election Act, Section 38, only prohibits bringing communication devices, image or sound recording equipment, or other devices specified by the Commission. It does not forbid bringing documents or slips listing other candidates. Therefore, candidates have the right to bring any documents inside, and the Commission cannot strictly prohibit this either.
Regarding claims that Police Colonel Manat Nakhonsri, the provincial election inspector, reported to the Election Commission Secretary-General at 08:29 on election day about a group making candidate list slips, the Commission investigated all documents, work records, and CCTV footage and found no evidence of such a report at that time. However, Police Colonel Manat did submit a report (Form Pt.L.Jor. Chaw 2/1) on 28 June 2024, two days after the election. The Commission must therefore rely on verifiable official evidence when considering this matter.
Concerning suspension measures on the national Senate election day, the Commission explained that Section 59 of the Senate Election Act grants the Commission authority to suspend, halt, correct, or cancel an election if there is reasonable suspicion of unfairness. On that day, the Commission resolved to prohibit candidates from bringing any documents into areas where other candidates in the same group were voting to maintain order and proper conduct.
Thus, Dr. Thitichett Nuchanat, an Election Commissioner, collecting slips or papers carried by candidates was performing duties according to the Commission’s resolution to prevent violations of procedures. This was not illegal, and the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct has issued a supportive ruling, settling the matter.
The Election Commission’s office concluded that other complaints and allegations of wrongdoing by Senate candidates remain under review according to their authority. Once finalized, the results will be made public for transparency.