Thai poll worker held over alleged 14-ballot stuffing

2026-02-09 - 06:56

BANGKOK — February 2026, A polling official was detained for questioning after being caught with 14 ballot papers while attempting to cast votes at a polling station in northern Thailand’s Phayao province, officials said. The incident occurred at Polling Station No. 6 in Village 4 of Tha Wang Thong subdistrict, Muang district, where the station’s presiding officer alerted security personnel after detaining the suspect, identified only as Ms A, 35, a polling station staff member. According to initial findings, voter turnout at the time was light, prompting officials to closely observe activity inside the station. Ms A was seen placing ballots into the ballot box while holding several ballot papers in her left hand. Although 7 ballots were initially reported, further released details indicate 14 ballots were found in her possession, 7 constituency-based House of Representatives ballot is printed in green and 7 party-list House of Representatives ballot is printed in pink and, in her possession. Security officers were notified and standard procedures were followed. Ms A was later taken to Muang Phayao police station for questioning. She denied all allegations and said she would contest the case in court, police said. Officers recorded the incident in the daily log and released her temporarily while investigators gather evidence and consider formal charges under election laws. Authorities said the case remains under investigation as part of efforts to ensure the election is conducted fairly and transparently.