He said the move could raise the spectre of legal consequences for the Election Commission (EC), similar to those that followed the annulled 2006 poll. Speaking at the National Institute of Development Administration on Wednesday, Mr Wissanu addressed concerns that barcodes printed on ballot papers might allow votes to be traced back to individual electors. Supachai Jaisamut, head of the legal team at the Bhumjaithai Party, yesterday rejected claims that the barcodes compromised secrecy. He urged the EC to use identical ballot papers in by-elections this Sunday and to avoid concealing barcodes during the count. Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman has confirmed receipt of 28 petitions from members of the public concerning the legality of the barcodes and the EC's management of the poll.

Source: Bangkok Post February 19, 2026 18:35 UTC