The Constitutional Court began hearing five witnesses in the "barcode on ballot" case, ordering a suspension of live audio and video broadcasts at the Election Commission's request and strictly prohibiting the disclosure of hearing information. The EC Chairperson attended as an observer.
On 26 August 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The Constitutional Court sat as the tribunal to hear five witnesses in a case where the Ombudsman reported receiving 22 complaints requesting a ruling under Constitutional Court Article 213 regarding the Election Commission's organization of the general election for members of the House of Representatives on 8 February 2026, including the design and printing of ballots which included the use of barcodes or barcode (Barcode) and QR codes (QR code) which are believed to allow tracing and verification of voter identity and vote results, thereby compromising the secrecy of the ballot and violating Constitutional Articles 4, 25, 32, 34, 50(7), 83 paragraph 2, 85, 95, and 224. During today's hearing, Mr. Narong Kanwarin, EC Chairperson, attended to observe.
The five witnesses called by the court were:
1. Ms. Nitriya Rattanathasanee, Senior Computer Scientist, Election Commission Office.
2. Mr. Worapong Anancharoenkij, Director of Election Support Division, Election Commission Office.
3. Mr. Phakphoom Phuudom, Board Member, T.K.S. Technology Public Company Limited.
4. Ms. Kanyanat Pikunthong, Board Member, Chanwanich Security Printing Company Limited.
5. Mr. Saweang Bunmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission.
Additionally, the EC, represented by Acting Lieutenant Phaskorn Siriphakayaporn, Deputy Secretary-General, was permitted to demonstrate the ballot storage process. Before the hearing began, Justice Virul Sangtian, assigned to conduct the hearing, informed the parties that, at the request of the EC Chairperson and the ballot printing company, the case would not be considered publicly. The court found that the ballot is a crucial election tool containing multiple anti-forgery and anti-fraud measures. Public disclosure could undermine ballot security measures, reducing their effectiveness and threatening political stability and the integrity of the election.
Therefore, to protect the public interest, the court deemed it appropriate to suspend live audio and video broadcasts during today's hearing. The court also required that only persons authorized by the court under the Constitutional Court Procedure Act 2018, Section 59 paragraph one, may be present in the courtroom, and strictly forbade those present from disseminating any information from today's hearing to outsiders.