Election Commission Files 77 Cases Against Senate Members
The Election Commission voted to prosecute 77 individuals, including 26 current senators, for election violations ranging from improper campaign assistance to bribery and accepting prohibited benefits.
At 10:00 a.m. on September 14, 2026, the Election Commission began voting on the results of investigation cases involving 229 senate candidates, with all seven commissioners present. Police from multiple divisions deployed 200 officers around the Election Commission office to maintain order. The second floor of the office was restricted to registered media only, with the public and observers able to watch the 3:00 p.m. briefing via closed-circuit television or YouTube.
Each commissioner submitted a private ballot during the meeting. The results were announced at 3:45 p.m. by Election Commission Chair Nong Kullawan and Deputy Secretary Passakorn Siriphakyaporn.
The commission reviewed 610 objections to election results, ruled on 593, and referred 1,076 candidates for criminal prosecution on grounds of disqualification or prohibited characteristics. The investigation committee examined 427 individuals across seven categories of allegations.
The seven charges included: (1) Section 76 paragraph 1 regarding party officials and politicians aiding candidates — 21 accused, zero prosecutions filed; (2) Section 76 paragraph 2 regarding candidates accepting political help — 140 accused, zero prosecutions filed; (3) Section 36 paragraph 1 with Section 70 regarding non-compliance with nomination requirements — 175 accused, 26 current senators, 1 voter, and 15 others charged, totaling 42 cases.
Charges 4-7 covered bribery and benefit-seeking under Sections 77, 79, and 81. The commission voted to prosecute 26 current senators, 36 voters, and 15 others, totaling 77 individuals. No party executives were charged under any category.
