Barcode Ballot Case Postponed Again: Court Sets August 11 Hearing for Eight Election Commission Officials
Eight Election Commission officials face a rescheduled court hearing on August 11 over accusations they added unnecessary barcodes to ballot cards in a scheme that allegedly compromised voting confidentiality and inflated printing costs.
The Special Criminal Criminal Court has postponed the indictment hearing for eight Election Commission (EC) officials in the ballot barcode case for the second time after the EC submitted clarifications and supporting evidence. The hearing was originally scheduled for May 19, 2569 at the Special Criminal Court on Railway Lane. The case, docket number Ot. 31/2569, was filed by attorney Yongyut Saowkaewsathit against EC Chairman Niran Kalawarintr and seven other officials.
The accused face charges of official misconduct or corruption under Criminal Code Section 157, read with the Election Commission Act B.E. 2562 Section 83, the House of Representatives Election Act B.E. 2561 Section 149, and the Anti-Corruption Act B.E. 2561 Section 172. According to the charges, all eight officials allegedly conspired to order the addition of QR codes to green ballot cards for constituency elections and barcodes to pink ballot cards for party-list elections, allegedly intended for verification purposes in a manner that lacked integrity and transparency. The plaintiff claims this unnecessary addition increased printing costs and compromised the confidentiality of the voting process.
During today's hearing, the court informed the plaintiff that the EC office had submitted written clarifications along with supporting evidence. The plaintiff was given 15 days to review the documentation and file any rebuttals, with failure to respond considered acceptance. The court has rescheduled the judgment hearing to August 11, 2569 at 9:30 a.m. This marks the second postponement; the hearing was previously moved from March 17 to May 19 before being delayed again to August.
