Bangkok: A group of students from nine institutions has petitioned the Administrative Court to declare the 2016 general election illegal, citing the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballots. They have demanded that the Election Commission conduct a new election.
According to Thai News Agency, representatives from Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Kasetsart University, Khon Kaen University, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chiang Mai University, Mae Fah Luang University, Ramkhamhaeng University, and Srinakharinwirot University have filed a lawsuit against the Election Commission (EC) and its Secretary-General at the Central Administrative Court. The students, led by Mr. Teerapat Supapithakpaiboon, coordinator of the Thammasat and Assembly Group, allege that the EC's handling of the February 8, 2026 election was illegal. They argue that the use of barcode-based ballots violates the constitutional principle of secret balloting, as it could potentially identify or trace voters.
The petitioners have requested the court to declare the election held on February 8, 2026, illegal and to order the EC to organize a new election in compliance with the law. They also seek to prohibit the EC, its Secretary-General, and related agencies from using QR codes or any technology that can identify voters on ballots or in future voting processes. The students have urged the court to expedite the case's consideration for the benefit of the state and the public.
Additionally, the student network has called for the court to instruct the Election Commission to temporarily halt the announcement of the election results until a final judgment is rendered. This measure, they argue, is necessary to avoid any irreversible harm that might result from prematurely certifying the election outcomes.