Bangkok: The Constitutional Court has issued an order to Srisuwan Janya, leader of the Patriotic Organization, to provide a written opinion regarding the inclusion of QR codes on election ballots and whether this practice aligns with the Constitution and legal standards.
According to Thai News Agency, the Patriotic Organization received a letter from the Constitutional Court requesting that Srisuwan submit a detailed opinion on specific issues identified by the court, along with relevant documents. This order pertains to a complaint filed through the Ombudsman under Section 213 of the 2017 Constitution, seeking a ruling on the legality of the Election Commission's (EC) inclusion of QR codes and barcodes on election ballots.
The complaint originated from a petition filed on February 13, 2026, by the Patriotic Organization to the Ombudsman, which urged a review of whether the Election Commission's use of barcodes on ballot papers could potentially compromise voter privacy and the integrity of the parliamentary election. The petition also questioned the compliance of Section 129, paragraph two, of the EC's Regulations on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, B.E. 2566 (2023), with Section 85 of the 2017 Constitution and Sections 84 and 86 of the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, B.E. 2561 (2018). On March 18, 2026, the Constitutional Court, by a 6 to 3 majority, accepted the Ombudsman's petition for consideration, designating it as Case No. T.30/2569.
To facilitate the court's consideration, the Patriotic Organization has been instructed to submit a written opinion on five critical issues specified by the Constitutional Court. These issues encompass voting rights, the visibility and implications of QR codes and barcodes, how voting results can be discerned from these codes, and any challenges or reports concerning the ballots before media coverage. The organization is also required to provide additional relevant evidence.
The Patriotic Organization has expressed concerns that the framing of the investigation might be misleading, suggesting that the central issue is whether the barcode's presence breaches election secrecy. Despite these concerns, the organization acknowledges the court's authority and will comply by expediting its opinion, gathering necessary evidence, and requesting further witness testimony. They aim to submit this information to the Constitutional Court within the 15-day deadline mandated by Section 27, paragraph 3 of the 2018 Constitutional Court Procedure Act, in order to protect the Constitution's integrity and prevent any unlawful manipulation of power.