Pathum Thani: Pathum Thani Election Commission clarifies that there was no issue of excess ballots in the Thanyaburi municipal election, but there were complaints of violations of election laws, which are currently under investigation. The Election Commission resolution was revealed to order a new election on June 1st in 2 polling units of 2 municipalities after ballots were found missing.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Songa Tathong, Director of the Election Commission of Pathum Thani Province, stated that the reports claiming the EC did not certify the election results for the mayor and members of the Thanyaburi Municipality Council due to more ballots than voters, or ‘ballot-twisting’, were false. The rumors may have been influenced by social media reports of more than 56 ballots for the Nong Sam Wang Municipality being lost, thereby preventing certification of the results. The Pathum Thani Province EC office issued a document clarifying the situation, citing a fact-finding investigation under Section 105 of the Local Government Election Act B.E. 2562. This investigation found that one ballot for the mayor of Nong Sam Wang Municipality from Polling Station 2, Constituency 2, was missing for unknown reasons, prompting submission for EC consideration.
The EC resolved to conduct a new vote for the mayor of Nong Sam Wang Municipality, Nong Suea District, at Polling Unit 2, New Constituency 2 on Sunday, June 1st. Additionally, voting will be held for the members of the municipal council of Kookot Municipality, Lam Luk Ka District, at Polling Unit 14, New Constituency 3, due to the loss of 7 ballots.
Ms. Songsa emphasized that no issues of excess or lost ballots were found in the Thanyaburi Municipality Council election. However, several complaints regarding violations of election laws are under investigation by the province, following the timeline set by the EC Regulations on Investigation, Inquiry, and Final Decision 2018, amended in 2023. The outcome of these investigations will be submitted to the EC upon completion. While it remains uncertain if the investigation will conclude within the 60-day legal timeframe, the EC may announce the results first and continue with the investigation thereafter.