The Election Commission (EC) is considering whether to take legal action against political party leaders who endorsed parliamentary candidates later ruled ineligible by the Supreme Court, a move that could have implications for parties involved in the election. The EC stressed that any action would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the facts of each situation and whether the endorsement affected the fairness of the election.

The issue follows Supreme Court rulings ordering the removal MP candidates from election lists after finding they lacked the legal qualifications to stand. Questions have since arisen over whether responsibility lies solely with the candidates or could extend to party leaders who signed certification documents supporting their nominations.

Speaking at 10.30am on 8 February 2026 at the Election Commission Office, EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said each case must be examined individually. He explained that some disqualifications stem from personal legal issues known only to the candidates themselves and in such circumstances party leaders may not have been aware of the problem. Under election law, candidates are expected to know their own eligibility status when applying.

Mr Sawaeng said the Political Parties Act requires authorities to consider whether a party’s actions resulted in an election that was not conducted in a fair and honest manner. Whether a party leader bears responsibility therefore depends on factual findings, including intent and knowledge at the time of endorsement. He added that it was not possible to predict outcomes while investigations were ongoing.

Asked whether any legal action could affect a party that had already won seats, Mr Sawaeng said the law must be applied if an offence is found, regardless of political consequences. However, he reiterated that it was too early to draw conclusions and that decisions would depend on the evidence.

ThaiRath reported that investigations into candidate eligibility and related responsibilities are continuing, with further decisions expected once all facts have been reviewed.

Key Takeaways

• The Election Commission is reviewing whether party leaders can be held liable for endorsing ineligible MP candidates.

• Decisions will be made case by case, based on facts and whether election fairness was affected.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thairath 2026-02-09

 

 

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“…the law must be applied if an offence is found, regardless of political consequences…”

Ah, you’ve just gotta love the Thai legal system!

We’re now being told the Election Commission (EC) is considering legal action against party leaders who endorsed candidates later ruled ineligible by the Supreme Court.

But, let’s not forget that the EC’s own late announcement of disqualified candidates was directly triggered by the Supreme Court’s rulings, which came only a day before the election.

The cases had been filed earlier, yet the Court delivered its decision at the eleventh hour, leaving the EC scrambling to implement it.

In a twist of irony, the EC is now weighing prosecutions that could send disputes right back to the Supreme Court, the same institution whose timing created the last‑minute disruption in the first place.

So while the EC can point to the Court’s schedule as the reason for its delayed move, the bigger picture is how this back‑and‑forth between institutions plays out.

The Court’s late rulings forced the EC’s hand, and the EC’s response may ultimately return to the Court again.

In the end, it’s less about individual candidates and more about how the separation of powers functions in Thailand.

The timing of the Court's decision directly shaped the election process, and the EC’s role was reduced to carrying out orders under pressure, only to now consider actions that could restart the cycle.

It's enough to make your head spin!

Is it legal to change the voting list during the elections?? The pre elections were a week before and than there were no problems, but people who voted for the disqualified people their votes are invalid now

16 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Is it legal to change the voting list during the elections?? The pre elections were a week before and than there were no problems, but people who voted for the disqualified people their votes are invalid now

and not forgetting the votes cast by Thai's living overseas that were done a few weeks back .

I see the gong show never skips a season in Thailand.

1 hour ago, Jim Waldron said:

“…the law must be applied if an offence is found, regardless of political consequences…”

Ah, you’ve just gotta love the Thai legal system!

We’re now being told the Election Commission (EC) is considering legal action against party leaders who endorsed candidates later ruled ineligible by the Supreme Court.

But, let’s not forget that the EC’s own late announcement of disqualified candidates was directly triggered by the Supreme Court’s rulings, which came only a day before the election.

The cases had been filed earlier, yet the Court delivered its decision at the eleventh hour, leaving the EC scrambling to implement it.

In a twist of irony, the EC is now weighing prosecutions that could send disputes right back to the Supreme Court, the same institution whose timing created the last‑minute disruption in the first place.

So while the EC can point to the Court’s schedule as the reason for its delayed move, the bigger picture is how this back‑and‑forth between institutions plays out.

The Court’s late rulings forced the EC’s hand, and the EC’s response may ultimately return to the Court again.

In the end, it’s less about individual candidates and more about how the separation of powers functions in Thailand.

The timing of the Court's decision directly shaped the election process, and the EC’s role was reduced to carrying out orders under pressure, only to now consider actions that could restart the cycle.

It's enough to make your head spin!

The election actually started last Sunday on the 1st. Before the disqualification.

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There will probably be no further action - this was rather in the nature of "reserve powers" in case the People's Party won a majority.

Now that it seems that BJT has won the most seats (if not a majority) then they will not be needed.

The EC can put their feet up and chill while the establishment and it's dinosaurs carve things up to their own satisfaction!

1 hour ago, kimamey said:

The election actually started last Sunday on the 1st. Before the disqualification.

The system here is so messed up. The polarization between the different governments is obvious. The interesting thing will be the formation of the government.

BJT won the election, and it almost looks like it was a relatively safe win. The question now is who do they form an allaiance with.

You have PT, who they just defeated and caused this election

Or PP who are looking to change the constitution and make waves for the middle class

For the country's betterment, I suggest BJT and PP would be the ideal choice.

Doing so would mean that there were only 2 mouths to feed at the trough.

Inclusion of the DEM would also help as it would mean that all areas have representation and it would be a strong group.

Anything involving Thaksin is a wrong move. Unlike BJT or PP, the PT no longer have that secure base of votes. Letting the camel get his nose into the tent would not be a good look, and how can you trust someone that you just screwed to get where you are.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

"Election Chief Weighs Action Against Party Leaders Over MP Candidates"

The careful application of the Weighing Process on a case-by-case basis is a fundamental part of any value oriented Thai institution:

Amazing how the elites treat the public like sheep. Openly stating that the election results can be changed as they did last time. Well they deserve what they get as long as they behave like sheep.

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

Amazing how the elites treat the public like sheep. Openly stating that the election results can be changed as they did last time. Well they deserve what they get as long as they behave like sheep.

It will be interesting to see what Chichob decides Anutin should do. Also, it would be interesting to know the extent of the effect of the Thai-Cam war.

Consider that the only choice for the pro-military people was the BJT

A legal and constitutional punch-up before the new government has started work

Crazy constitutional law here that I struggle to understand - and I have been a lawyer for a long time!

as I said before, tomorrow will be like yesterday and the day before, it was all agreed upon but they had to put up the show and what would a show be without some clowns

6 hours ago, kimamey said:

The election actually started last Sunday on the 1st. Before the disqualification.

Overseas postal votes started even earlier.

11 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

“…the law must be applied if an offence is found, regardless of political consequences…”

Ah, you’ve just gotta love the Thai legal system!

We’re now being told the Election Commission (EC) is considering legal action against party leaders who endorsed candidates later ruled ineligible by the Supreme Court.

But, let’s not forget that the EC’s own late announcement of disqualified candidates was directly triggered by the Supreme Court’s rulings, which came only a day before the election.

The cases had been filed earlier, yet the Court delivered its decision at the eleventh hour, leaving the EC scrambling to implement it.

In a twist of irony, the EC is now weighing prosecutions that could send disputes right back to the Supreme Court, the same institution whose timing created the last‑minute disruption in the first place.

So while the EC can point to the Court’s schedule as the reason for its delayed move, the bigger picture is how this back‑and‑forth between institutions plays out.

The Court’s late rulings forced the EC’s hand, and the EC’s response may ultimately return to the Court again.

In the end, it’s less about individual candidates and more about how the separation of powers functions in Thailand.

The timing of the Court's decision directly shaped the election process, and the EC’s role was reduced to carrying out orders under pressure, only to now consider actions that could restart the cycle.

It's enough to make your head spin!

It was the poison pill inserted in case the wrong party won more votes. Also, there was the pending case of 11 MP members - from a single party, not named- accused of online gambling (dare I say PP), just in case. The outcome of this election was preordained.

9 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

The system here is so messed up. The polarization between the different governments is obvious. The interesting thing will be the formation of the government.

BJT won the election, and it almost looks like it was a relatively safe win. The question now is who do they form an allaiance with.

You have PT, who they just defeated and caused this election

Or PP who are looking to change the constitution and make waves for the middle class

For the country's betterment, I suggest BJT and PP would be the ideal choice.

Doing so would mean that there were only 2 mouths to feed at the trough.

Inclusion of the DEM would also help as it would mean that all areas have representation and it would be a strong group.

Anything involving Thaksin is a wrong move. Unlike BJT or PP, the PT no longer have that secure base of votes. Letting the camel get his nose into the tent would not be a good look, and how can you trust someone that you just screwed to get where you are.

Will probably be PT unfortunately.

4 hours ago, Artisi said:

Overseas postal votes started even earlier.

A good point.

14 hours ago, kimamey said:

Will probably be PT unfortunately.

They could also do it with Klatham and a few of the MM parties.

23 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

PP who are looking to change the constitution and make waves for the middle class

No. PP won every seat in & around BKK, which means they got about 95% of Thailand's middle classes. They also did well in CM which used to be the HQ for PT.

The waves PP would make if they ever actually managed to get in to power would be for the rich élites, NOT the middle classes whom they clearly represent.

On 2/9/2026 at 5:52 AM, ikke1959 said:

Is it legal to change the voting list during the elections?

Not the worst scenario (taken from AI in part):

• The Constitutional Court of Thailand invalidated the results of the general election held on February 2, 2014 because voting did not take place on the same day across the entire country, as required by the Constitution. (my italics)

• Anti-government (PM Yingluk Shinawatra) protesters (the People's Democratic Reform Committee or PDRC) had disrupted the election process, blocking candidate registration in 28 districts representing about 6 million Thai voters, primarily in southern Thailand. This meant no candidates were on the ballot in those areas, preventing nationwide simultaneous voting.

• The final turnout for the 2 February 2014 elections from 68 provinces was 20,530,359 voters. (compare to 173 million registered voters in US 2024 elections)

• Also a total of 139,810 Thais in 135 countries had registered to vote in the general election on 8 February 2014, but not all voter ballots had been allegedly delivered by respective Thai embassies to Thailand for count by the General Election deadline.

On 2/5/2026 at 10:36 AM, Crossy said:

Plonker!

Now if he'd filled up the speakers on those ruddy election trucks with spray-foam ...

Thank <insert deity of your choice> Saturday is the last day of campaigning!

Our building contractor has a side job taking down election posters so I doubt any roof work will be happening on Monday.

On 2/5/2026 at 5:30 PM, Harrisfan said:

Each island is different. Southern cities are different from the north. Whats the point of renting a condo and drinking Chang beer and discussing politics daily?

Thailand has roads ranked on the top 10 by motorbikers. Around Nan is really nice. Why bother though? Just discuss Trump from the same spot hey? What a stunning retirement.

Side trips to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia versus political talk? You only live once. How exciting can those Pattaya bar stools be?

I asked my Thai father how they were able to count all the votes and know the results of the election so quickly. His response, "They used AI." Yes, i bet they did ("AI please make my team win")

On 2/9/2026 at 6:49 AM, kimamey said:

The election actually started last Sunday on the 1st. Before the disqualification.

I would love to see the list of disqualified or yet to be disqualified and which party they belong to, maybe we are going to see an election shambles like the last one, it's just the beginning

Governments seem just keep disqualifying opponents until they reach the party they want in power.

elections such as these are termed as 'rigged'?

However, I would never accuse the Thai authorities of subterfuge or wrong-doing - heavens above - they are obviously above reproach!