Jesada warns Election Commission over jail risk

2026-02-23 - 07:13

BANGKOK — 23 February 2026, Jesada Tonawanik, a prime ministerial candidate of the Rak Chart Party, warned the Election Commission (EC) it could face imprisonment if it continues to perform its duties unlawfully amid mounting controversy over changes to ballot papers. In an interview, Jesada said the EC’s management of the election had been riddled with ambiguities and sudden alterations, particularly regarding ballot papers, without clear explanations to the public. If the commission persisted in what he described as wrongful conduct, “a prison cell awaits”, he said. He criticised the EC for being “especially diligent” in adjusting details such as ballot designs, yet failing to properly inform the public. From the outset, he said, the commission should have clarified how many types of ballot papers there were, whether green or pink, what they looked like and what each was for, including the purpose of yellow referendum ballots. Instead, he said, new ballots had been introduced without adequate explanation, including the use of QR codes and barcodes. Jesada warned that if the EC could not dispel doubts over alleged violations of citizens’ rights and freedoms, it could face legal risks, potentially leading to court action to nullify the election. Such an outcome would cause enormous damage, he said, as it would not merely involve by-elections in certain constituencies but could require dismantling the entire electoral process already undertaken. He urged the EC to provide clear answers “at a level even a child can understand” to help steer the country out of what he called its political quagmire and towards an internationally recognised election. “The simplest question is: why are the ballots not the same?” he said. “If this cannot be explained, it will not only affect any new poll. By-elections would be invalidated and the entire original election would also be void.” He added that previous explanations had seemingly disappeared, while complaints alleging rights violations had already been filed. Recounts in some polling stations were still facing problems, he said. “If a new election is ordered and it is handled in this way, everything previously done will have to be torn up because the explanations are inconsistent,” Jesada said. “No one wants to pursue criminal action, but if this amounts to dereliction of duty or malfeasance in office, a prison cell will be waiting.”