Bangkok: Former Senator Kittisak Rattanavaraha has expressed concerns over the transparency of the Election Commission (EC) following the recent general election. He voiced his agreement with public and media sentiments questioning the EC's integrity and warned that any discovered misconduct could lead to imprisonment for those responsible.

According to Thai News Agency, Kittisak highlighted that some current members of the Election Commission were appointed during his term as a senator. He noted that while he was involved in these appointments, the commission members are bound by law once they assume office. Their adherence to legal duties, he stated, will be evaluated based on existing legislation.

Kittisak also noted that previous Election Commission members have faced legal consequences, emphasizing the importance of following the law and EC regulations. He stressed that any deviation from legal standards would be judged accordingly, as the commission operates independently and must uphold the rule of law.

The former senator raised concerns about the impact of using barcodes and QR codes in the voting process on voter confidentiality. He called for a thorough investigation to assess whether these practices compromise the principle of secret voting. Should it be found that secrecy is compromised, those responsible for implementing such systems would be legally accountable.

Reflecting on his decade-long parliamentary experience, Kittisak remarked that he had never encountered the use of barcodes in elections before. While he refrained from making a definitive judgment on their legality, he warned that if proven unlawful, legal action would ensue. He recalled past instances where minor procedural errors led to violations, suggesting that the current situation requires careful examination.

Addressing the possibility of large-scale protests, Kittisak expressed doubt about the likelihood of significant unrest. However, he advised vigilance regarding external factors and societal perceptions of the election's fairness and transparency. He used a metaphor of "watching the weather" to illustrate the need for monitoring the public's response to the election process.