Knockout Punch - Election Commission Fails

The early voting on Sunday, February 1, 2569, took place across districts, outside districts, and overseas, with tremendous nationwide energy. Approximately 2.4 million registered voters showed up to cast their ballots, with some polling stations becoming extremely crowded with long lines. Data from Bangkok, which prepared 50 early voting locations, showed 87.60 percent of out-of-district voters and 96.47 percent of in-district voters participating. First-time 18-year-old voters, dubbed 'new voters', turned out in significant numbers, reflecting political engagement. However, the Election Commission (EC) performed poorly, with numerous errors including missing candidate names, candidates lacking introduction documents, and polling staff incorrectly entering district codes. The EC secretary acknowledged the mistakes, apologizing to the public. The errors particularly affected the People's Party and Pheu Thai Party, who are preparing to file complaints and potentially pursue legal action. These mistakes not only impact political parties but also undermine public confidence in the Election Commission, raising concerns about the upcoming major election on February 8.