Thai court rejects ballots challenge to February vote, ruling QR codes and barcodes constitutional

Bangkok, September 28 - Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of the legitimacy of the ballots used in the country's February elections, upholding Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's decisive win. The court's decision maintains the integrity of the electoral process, dismissing a challenge raised by over 20 individuals who questioned the use of QR codes and barcodes on the paper ballots.

The court found that the inclusion of these codes did not infringe upon the constitutional requirement of a secret vote, allowing Anutin's conservative Bhumjaithai party to retain power. Judge Chiranit Havanond stated that the court concluded the barcodes and QR codes were constitutional and did not violate the rights and freedoms of voters.

Although the barcodes on party list ballots might theoretically be traced, their purpose was to ensure electoral integrity, not to reveal individual voting choices. The case originated from complaints made to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the design of the ballots. While Anutin's Bhumjaithai secured a significant victory in the February election, they did not achieve a majority and subsequently formed a coalition with third-place Pheu Thai, the populist party led by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

This decision follows the Constitutional Court's previous annulment of two elections, in 2006 and 2014, due to violations of the secret ballot principle and procedural irregularities. Both instances led to widespread protests and military coups that ousted previous leaders.