The Election Commission has resolved to criminally prosecute 1,767 Senate candidates who knowingly lacked the qualifications to run. Penalties include imprisonment of 1 to 10 years, fines up to 200,000 baht, and a court-ordered 20-year election ban. If the candidate has become a Senator, they must return all salary and benefits received.
On 27 August 2026, the Election Commission Office announced that after reviewing documents and data submitted by Senate candidates, some were found to be disqualified or legally barred from running but still submitted candidacies. The matter was referred to the Election Commission for legal action.
At its 46/2569 meeting on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, the Election Commission resolved to prosecute 1,605 candidates under Section 74 of the 2018 Senate Election Act. At the 51/2569 meeting on Thursday, 4 June 2026, an additional 162 candidates were added, totaling 1,767. Section 74 states that anyone knowingly ineligible who runs for election faces 1 to 10 years imprisonment, fines between 20,000 and 200,000 baht, and a 20-year election ban. If the offender has been elected Senator, the court will order them to return all salary and benefits to the Senate Secretariat.
Following the Election Commission's decision to pursue criminal charges, its office proceeded by forwarding the cases to the Legal and Litigation Office for relevant action, then to provincial Election Commission offices to continue legal procedures according to their authority.