Thailand's Election Commission has voted to refer 77 people to the Supreme Court over alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election, including 26 serving senators. The group also includes 36 Senate voters and 15 other individuals. The EC examined seven allegations before deciding which names should be sent to court. However, no cabinet minister, MP or executive from the Bhumjaithai Party has been referred for prosecution, despite 21 people from those groups having been named during the investigation. Bhumjaithai figures not referred Those named in the investigation included Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, as well as several cabinet ministers, MPs and senior party executives. The EC's decision means none of those 21 political figures will be among the 77 people facing the immediate Supreme Court referral in this case. That does not amount to a court finding on the allegations. The EC's decision is a procedural step, while any criminal or electoral responsibility for those referred will be decided through the judicial process. What happens next The 77 people referred have not been found guilty. The Supreme Court process will determine whether any of them bear criminal or election-related liability over the alleged Senate-election collusion. The Senate is a significant part of Thailand's political system, and the case will remain closely watched because it concerns the legitimacy of the 2024 selection process and the standing of current senators. Political scrutiny continues The exclusion of ministers, MPs and Bhumjaithai executives from the EC's referral list is likely to keep attention on the investigation, particularly given that the prime minister and party leader was among those previously named. At this stage, the EC has referred only the 77 identified individuals. Any final outcome will depend on the Supreme Court's consideration of the evidence and the allegations presented to it. Related story EC-faces-decision-on-Thai-senate-election-collusion-case Join the discussion? 14 September 2026
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