Election Commission Reveals Clear Evidence of Vote Buying in Ratchaburi and Other Provinces

The Election Commission (EC) expects unofficial election results by 5 PM, reporting an overall smooth voting process with no border issues. At 11:30 AM on February 8, 2024, EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee briefed the media about the general parliamentary election and constitutional referendum. Polling stations opened at 8:00 AM, and voting will continue until 5:00 PM. Sawaeng thanked citizens for participating and emphasized the importance of verifying candidate information before voting. He highlighted the two-step voting process and encouraged voters to report any irregularities. Over 1.5 million polling station officials are serving, with 53 million eligible voters, including 2 million who already voted early. The vote counting will begin after polls close, with results expected around 5 PM. The EC has identified 5 vote-buying cases across Ratchaburi, Surat Thani, and Chiang Rai provinces, with evidence including betting slips, money, and voter lists. Sawaeng warned voters against posting about their voting choices on social media, as this could potentially violate election laws.