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Mr Narong explained that recounts can only be ordered under Section 122, where ballot papers and voter numbers do not match, or under Section 124, where an election is found not to have been free and fair or where counting was incorrect. The Chonburi case arose after the completion of counting, when members of the public observed the consolidation of ballot boxes at a gymnasium in Constituency 1 and called for a recount. The EC assigned deputy secretary-general Korrachet Charoen-in to investigate the claims.
Mr Korrachet said ten people submitted complaints raising three issues: a power cut at polling stations, alleged mismatches between voter identification and ballot papers and claims of incorrect vote counting. Of the ten, six admitted they had not witnessed the incidents themselves. He said video clips cited as evidence of a blackout showed an incident in Nonthaburi, not Chonburi.
In Chonburi Constituency 1, four polling units, 36, 37, 38 and 39, experienced a 40-minute power outage. Counting had already finished in three units, while Unit 36 paused and resumed without objection. Investigators found no irregularities in the counting process.
On claims of mismatched identification, complainants did not specify polling units and referred broadly to Units 11–15. The investigation found vote tabulation times were normal and no unusual incidents occurred. Allegations of misread ballots were also unsubstantiated, with no formal objections recorded during counting.
Questions were also raised about documents allegedly found in rubbish bins and the absence of plastic ties on ballot boxes. Mr Korrachet said there were no rubbish bins involved and that documents were awaiting organisation during the consolidation process, which had been relocated from a community hall to a municipal badminton gym due to space constraints. Approximately 90% of the process had been completed when members of the public entered the site, preventing vehicles from leaving.
The EC concluded there was no evidence to believe the Chonburi election had not been conducted honestly or fairly under Section 124 and related regulations. Mr Narong said commissioners spent four to five hours reviewing evidence and would not risk the organisation’s reputation on a lack of transparency. He added that all parties remain subject to the law following mutual complaints filed with police.
Deputy secretary-general Sub Lt Phatsakorn Siriphakphayaporn addressed public concerns over barcodes on ballot papers, clarifying they are security measures indicating print batches and distribution details, not voter identities or party choices. He said claims circulating on social media that barcodes could identify voters were incorrect. Each barcode relates to printing and allocation data only.
Separate developments saw the EC clarify a counting discrepancy in Maha Sarakham, where a polling unit’s results in Tha Song Khon were initially omitted from a constituency tally board. The figure has been corrected and the commission ruled there were no grounds for a recount under Section 124.
The EC has, however, ordered fresh voting in three polling units in Bangkok, Nan and Udon Thani on 22 February. In Bangkok’s Constituency 15, Unit 9, heavy rain damaged ballot papers, prompting a re-vote for constituency, party-list and referendum ballots under Section 121. In Nan Constituency 1, Unit 3, and Udon Thani Constituency 6, Unit 4, ballot papers were torn across candidate numbers or party-list numbers, leading to suspended counts and orders for new voting, with new polling staff appointed in Nan and Udon Thani.
Amarin reported that Mr Narong said the law requires official results to be finalised within 60 days and urged the public to review legal procedures before criticising perceived delays. Sub Lt Phatsakorn confirmed formal announcements of results from each constituency would follow once submissions are complete.
Key Takeaways
• The EC rejected a recount in Chonburi Constituency 1, citing no evidence of fraud under Sections 122 or 124.
• Complaints about power cuts, ballot handling and barcode tracking were investigated and dismissed.
• Fresh voting was ordered in three polling units in Bangkok, Nan and Udon Thani on 22 February 2026.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 13 Feb 2026
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