The Election Commission is preparing to establish an election intelligence office to enhance proactive intelligence efforts nationwide, registering vote influencers and local power figures in every province to prevent election fraud. This will begin with the by-election in Udon Thani and the provincial governor elections in Kalasin, Nonthaburi, and Khon Kaen.
On 14 Aug 2026 GMT+7 at 11:00, at Centara Life Hotel, Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, Election Commissioner Sitthichot Inthrawiset said after a workshop to enhance the efficiency of intelligence sources in preventing election law violations, investigations, inquiries, and legal proceedings, that the Election Commission Office invited representatives from national intelligence units such as the Internal Security Operations Command, police, navy, and Ministry of Interior—key agencies aware of information and developments—to discuss and exchange information with each provincial Election Commission office. This aims to gain advance knowledge and enable early prevention to ensure the elections are conducted with the highest possible honesty and fairness. Currently, as the Commission lacks its own network, it relies on these agencies, whose authority is supported by law.
Sitthichot added that going forward, the Election Commission will develop its own intelligence system by establishing intelligence teams in every province. Today marks the start of the Commission’s proactive work on intelligence. He assigned Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanin Noilek and Mr. Kanchit Charoen-in, Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission for Investigations, to pilot this initiative for the Udon Thani by-election and the provincial governor elections in Kalasin, Nonthaburi, and Khon Kaen as an urgent measure, with plans to develop it into a formal system over the long term.
“The plan is that each province must have information on who the vote influencers and local power figures are, and keep them on a register. Knowing this information will make managing the work easier. Therefore, the level of risk varies by area, allowing us to allocate manpower precisely where needed,” said Sitthichot.