Bangkok: Crowds gathered at the Election Commission office demanding a recount after irregularities were discovered in several areas. Tae Mongkolkitt, editor of Lailajud and a member of the Thammasat University student activist group, was among those who stormed the office, revealing a war room for vote counting and calling for the election to be declared void.
According to Thai News Agency, the scene at the Election Commission was unusually lively, with a significant number of individuals and groups submitting letters since early morning. Each group had distinct objectives in their requests to meet with the commission, prompting the office to erect metal barriers and call on police to manage the situation. Only staff working inside were permitted entry.
Mr. Sombat Boonngam-anong, also known as "Editor Lailajud," was among the first to meet with the Chairman of the Election Commission. He submitted a letter raising several concerns, including the lack of transparency in the Election Commission's vote counting system and a system malfunction in the vote count display process. He criticized the Commission's handling of the election, pointing out that citizens were still unable to access voter data three days after the election.
Mr. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, Prime Minister candidate of the New Alternative Party, also submitted a letter demanding the election be declared void. He highlighted a discrepancy in the vote counts, noting that while his party initially had 2,032 votes in Buriram, after 95% of the votes were counted, the number dropped to 180. He emphasized the authenticity of his party's votes and called for accountability from the Election Commission members.
Mr. Mongkolkitt warned that if the vote counts are not rectified within seven days, he would file a lawsuit against the Election Commission for corruption and misconduct. He also cited the 2006 election as a precedent for declaring elections void due to errors, demanding the resignation of the Election Commission members.
Additionally, approximately 30 people from the Thammasat University and Assembly Alliance gathered at the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana, calling for transparency and a nationwide recount. Uniformed police maintained security at the building entrance as the protestors demanded action from the Election Commission.