Ombudsman gives EC seven days to justify use of QR codes on ballots

The Ombudsman’s Office has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) explain its decision to print QR codes on ballot sheets for the February 8 general election and referendum, within seven days.

The Ombudsman’s Office has received 13 complaints from protest groups challenging the legitimacy of the QR-coded ballot sheets, with some demanding that the election be nullified and a fresh election be held nationwide.

Protesters claim that the QR-coded ballot sheets can be tracked back to the voters who completed them. If true, they argue, this would render the election unlawful, as it contravenes the principle of "direct and secret voting."

According to procedure, once the Ombudsman’s Office receives a complaint, it will review each one to determine whether there are legal grounds for forwarding the complaint to the Constitutional Court for consideration.

If there are no grounds, the complaint will be dismissed.

Currently, the Ombudsman’s Office is composed of two members: Songsak Saicheua, the chairman, and Pol Lt-Gen Sarayuth Sa-nguanpokai. The selection process for a third member is underway.

Meanwhile, Kaewsan Atibodhi, a former law lecturer at Thammasat University, has urged all protest groups and the People’s Party to stop protesting the ballot sheets and seek redress through the Constitutional Court instead.

He insisted that the Central Administrative Court has no authority to rule on the issue, as it is not an administrative case. He also noted that the matter does not fall under the jurisdiction of the attorney-general.

Kaewsan emphasized that only the Constitutional Court has the authority to rule on the legitimacy of the QR-coded ballot sheets, and those who disagree with them should seek a ruling via the Ombudsman.