Thai Party Leader Calls for Election Commission Probe into Irregularities & High Invalid Vote Counts

Thailand’s Election Commission Faces Calls for Investigation Amidst Vote Irregularities

Bangkok, Thailand – February 9, 2026 – Natthapong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, has called on Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) to investigate alleged irregularities in the recent parliamentary elections, citing a high number of invalid ballots and discrepancies in vote counts across multiple constituencies. The call for investigation comes as Thailand navigates a complex political landscape following the February 9th elections and a concurrent referendum on rewriting the military-drafted constitution.

Ruengpanyawut announced the party’s initial assessment of the election results, stating that they anticipate securing approximately 88 constituency seats and over 30 list seats. He emphasized that while the People’s Party accepts the overall outcome of the election, the integrity of every vote is paramount and requires thorough scrutiny.

Specific concerns raised by Ruengpanyawut centered on anomalies observed in several districts. In Lampang’s 2nd constituency, for example, over 7,000 ballots were declared invalid, a figure significantly higher than the roughly 2,000-vote margin of victory. The party is requesting a recount in that district. Similar concerns were raised in Khon Kaen’s 3rd constituency, where a close race was overshadowed by a disproportionately high number of invalid and spoiled ballots.

The irregularities aren’t limited to ballot validity. Ruengpanyawut also pointed to instances where the counting process itself was called into question. In Pathum Thani, he alleged that a polling station temporarily closed its counting room, raising concerns about transparency. While a subsequent recount didn’t drastically alter the results, Ruengpanyawut stressed the importance of maintaining a fully transparent and credible process.

Ruengpanyawut announced the appointment of Teera Suteewarangkoon, the party’s legal advisor, and the party’s executive team to lead a comprehensive investigation into all reported irregularities. He also encouraged citizens who witnessed any suspicious activity during the election to report it directly to the People’s Party or to Vote62, an online platform established to collect reports of electoral misconduct.

Despite the concerns, Ruengpanyawut expressed optimism and urged citizens to remain engaged in the political process. He acknowledged that some voters may feel discouraged by the reported irregularities but emphasized the importance of continued faith in the power of the electorate and the potential for positive change.

The People’s Party’s stance on forming a coalition government remains consistent, Ruengpanyawut stated. The party continues to support Bhumjaithai Party, which secured the most seats in the election, to lead the formation of a new government. However, he reiterated that the People’s Party cannot join a coalition led by Bhumjaithai.

Ruengpanyawut acknowledged that factors beyond the party’s internal management contributed to the election results. He indicated that the People’s Party will conduct a thorough post-election analysis to identify areas for improvement and refine its strategies for future campaigns. He noted that in some constituencies, competing candidates may have strategically divided support or engaged in tactical maneuvering, impacting the outcome.

“The results, even before the official tally, suggest that in some cases, the outcome wasn’t solely determined by shortcomings within our campaign or the performance of our candidates,” Ruengpanyawut explained. “It’s about understanding the broader dynamics at play, including potential strategic alliances between opponents.”

The People’s Party recognizes that building a strong electoral presence requires not only a compelling ideological platform but also deep-rooted connections within local communities. Ruengpanyawut emphasized the need to strengthen grassroots networks and move beyond traditional patronage systems to forge genuine relationships with voters. This will be a key focus for the party moving forward.

The Election Commission has not yet publicly responded to Ruengpanyawut’s call for investigation. However, the allegations come at a sensitive time, as Thailand also grapples with a separate investigation into alleged undue influence exerted by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over the Pheu Thai Party. The EC is currently investigating claims that Thaksin, despite not holding office, continues to exert significant influence over the party’s decision-making processes, including the selection of a new prime minister and coalition negotiations. This investigation, initiated in October 2024, could potentially lead to the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party if violations of the Political Parties Act are found.

Bhumjaithai Party leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, are currently under investigation by the Election Commission regarding alleged vote rigging in the Senate election involving 138 senators. This probe, stemming from evidence provided by the Department of Special Investigation, could trigger a major political and constitutional crisis if charges are filed in court.