Election Commission Responds to Constitutional Arbitrator: Ballot Barcodes Are Not Irregular, Lawyer Urges Constitutional Court Decision

On February 19, 2024, at the Office of the Constitutional Arbitrator, Ronnarong Kaewphet, chairman of the Ronnarong Justice Restoration Foundation, submitted an additional petition requesting the Constitutional Court to review whether the Election Commission's regulations for parliamentary elections violate constitutional articles 85, 32, and 34, specifically regarding barcodes and QR codes on ballots. Ronnarong emphasized that he is focused on the legal issue of whether the Election Commission's ability to place symbols on ballots constitutes a violation of constitutional rights and freedoms. He wants the constitutional arbitrator to expedite sending the case to the Constitutional Court for interpretation, noting that the Election Commission has already responded that their procedures are correct. Ronnarong argues that the barcodes potentially infringe on citizens' basic rights by creating fear among voters who might worry about their voting choices being tracked, potentially affecting their employment.