Bangkok: Secretary-General of the Election Commission, Mr. Saeng Boonmee, has vowed to tackle the issue of vote-buying, emphasizing that accepting money for votes poses a threat to the nation. The Election Commission has already received 32 complaints related to vote-buying.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Saeng Boonmee has urged EC officials across the country to intensify efforts to promote honest voting practices. He has called on citizens to refrain from voting for candidates who attempt to buy votes and to reject any monetary offers from such candidates. Mr. Saeng highlighted that accepting money in exchange for votes is not only illegal but also undermines the democratic system.
The issue of vote-buying has garnered increased attention in the lead-up to the 2026 election. Despite this, voter turnout is anticipated to be no less than the 75% recorded in the 2023 election. Thus, the focus of the campaign is shifting towards ensuring the "quality of voting" rather than merely achieving high turnout numbers.
The Election Commission's investigation team has been directed to implement proactive and concrete measures to prevent and suppress corruption in the electoral process. This initiative aims to build public trust and enhance the organization's reputation.
The recent complaints about election fraud underscore the heightened tension in this year's election campaign and the ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.