The Constitutional Court of Thailand has unanimously decided not to accept a petition challenging the Election Commission (EC) and its Office over the use of barcode printing on party-list House of Representatives ballot papers, ruling that the complaint amounted only to an expression of opinion and did not demonstrate a direct violation of rights.
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The ruling was issued on 1 July 2026 in a case filed by Ms Natthida Nikrodthangkoon, who asked the court to consider the matter under Section 213 of the Constitution. She alleged that the Election Commission and its office had implemented a ballot design featuring a barcode rather than the QR code originally stated in budget allocation objectives. She further argued that public complaints suggested the election process was not fully secret and therefore violated constitutional rights under Sections 3, 25, and 41(3).
According to the court, after deliberation, the petition did not provide sufficient evidence showing that the complainant had directly suffered a violation of rights or freedoms, nor did it clearly explain how the secrecy of the election was compromised. The judges noted that the submission failed to substantiate how the alleged irregularities affected the constitutional guarantee of a secret ballot, and therefore did not meet the legal requirements for consideration.
The court further stated that the petition did not comply with Section 46 paragraphs one and two of the Organic Act on Procedures of the Constitutional Court 2018. As a result, it concluded that the matter could not proceed under Section 213 of the Constitution, as it did not constitute a properly grounded constitutional complaint.
The unanimous decision effectively upholds the Election Commission’s authority to proceed with its ballot design specifications, as the court found no direct constitutional breach had been demonstrated in the filing.
Amarin reported that the ruling brings closure to this particular challenge, although it underscores the strict procedural thresholds required for individuals to bring constitutional complaints before the court in Thailand.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 2 July 2026