Bangkok: Professor Saneh Srisuwan is urging the Election Commission to recount votes in polling units where irregularities are suspected, emphasizing that the people’s voice must not be silenced.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Saneh, a political commentator and speaker, analyzed the issues surrounding the 2026 election during a segment on “Unraveling the News” on MCOT NEWS FM 100.5. He highlighted several problems, including inadequacies in the performance of polling station officials, who lacked basic knowledge of the ThaiID application for identity verification. Other issues included substandard vote counting methods, illegible tally marks, and inconsistent judgments on valid and invalid ballots, despite clear criteria from the Election Commission.
Transparency concerns were further underscored by practices such as covering CCTV cameras with black bags at a ballot box storage location in Pathum Thani province and transporting ballots without security straps in Chonburi province. Statistical irregularities were notable, with nearly 3 million invalid ballots reported, including 1.5 million party-list ballots, even when the party logo was clearly displayed. Discrepancies in votes were highlighted in areas like Khon Kaen District 11, where the winner received over 90,000 votes while only 80,000 people voted. Furthermore, inconsistencies in the number of voters receiving constituency and party-list ballots were noted, despite legal requirements for simultaneous receipt.
Professor Saneh drew comparisons with Japan’s election management, which took place on the same day. He praised Japan’s standardized systems and rehearsals, which resulted in fewer transparency issues. He also critiqued differing understandings of democracy between urban and rural populations, stressing that elections should reflect personal beliefs and preferences based on behavioral psychology.
The pressing demand is for a recount in polling stations with identified irregularities, aiming to uphold the principle of one vote, one voice. The 2023 election serves as a precedent, where a recount was ordered in 47 polling stations to ensure transparency and address public accusations.