Watch closely on 28 August as the Election Commission finalizes the vote rigging senator case. After closing the case file, they revealed seven charges for each commissioner to write opinions on before individually voting on guilt.
On 24 August 2026, it was reported that the Election Commission (EC) completed reviewing the senator vote rigging case file in their meeting on 18 August. As a result, there were no EC meetings earlier this week due to some commissioners’ scheduling conflicts and to allow each commissioner time to consider the case details, questions, observations, alleged offenses, and legal points to write their individual opinions before the official vote scheduled for Friday, 28 August at 1:00 p.m.
In this regard, the EC has set seven charges for consideration in the case file. These relate to offenses under the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the Senate, namely:
1. Whether political party executives, party officials, MPs, local council members, local executives, or political officeholders assisted candidates to be elected as senators under Section 76, paragraph one.
2. Whether candidates consented to assistance from political party executives, party officials, MPs, local council members, local executives, or political officeholders to be elected as senators under Section 76, paragraph two.
3. Whether candidates failed to comply with the Election Commission’s rules on candidate introductions in the 2024 Senate election, issued under Sections 70 and 36.
4. Whether there was an arrangement, promise, or preparation to provide assets or other benefits convertible to money to induce candidates or voters to vote or not vote for any person under Section 77 (1).
5. Whether there were entertainments or promises to entertain anyone to induce candidates or voters to vote or not vote for any person under Section 77 (3).
6. Whether any person called for or received assets or other benefits to run as a candidate under Section 79.
7. Whether voters called for, received, or accepted assets or other benefits for themselves or others to vote or abstain from voting for any person under Section 81. The EC’s vote will be on each accused individual separately.
Regarding the senator vote rigging case, the 26th investigation panel appointed by the EC on 19 March 2025, chaired by Deputy Secretary-General Chanin Noilek and including DSI officials, recommended prosecuting a total of 229 accused persons: 138 current senators and 91 political party executives and affiliated networks.
Meanwhile, the EC office, through Deputy Secretary-General Khanchit Charoen-in, assigned by the Secretary-General, agreed with the panel’s recommendation. However, when the case proceeded to the Subcommittee on Dispute Resolution, then-EC Chairman Itthiporn Boonprakong formed a special subcommittee (the 36th) on 25 September 2025 to consider this case exclusively. On 12 March 2026, they voted 5 to 2 recommending the EC dismiss the case, citing lack of evidence against the 229 accused in the senator vote rigging case.