Bangkok: The People's Party has submitted formal requests for a recount in 18 constituencies following the recent general election, amidst mounting allegations of electoral fraud and misconduct.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Kittichai Techakul, the election director of the People's Party, held a press conference to address the party's actions in scrutinizing the Election Commission's (EC) handling of the 2016 general election. The party has called on the EC to direct provincial election offices to publicly disclose election results reports from polling stations on their respective websites. This move aims to ensure transparency and accuracy in the vote count, aligning with the officially announced results.

The People's Party has launched the Vote69 website to gather public complaints regarding election fraud. Mr. Kittichai has accepted the election defeat but stated he will not tolerate any fraudulent activities. He has demanded updates on his complaint about vote-buying in Phitsanulok and threatened legal action under Section 157 due to the lack of progress.

In addition, Mr. Teera Sutheewarangkoon, from the People's Party's special task force, highlighted the situation in Chonburi Province, District 1, which has become a focal point for calls for a recount. The Election Commission has instructed the Chonburi Provincial Election Commission to gather facts within two days to determine the need for a recount. Concerns have been raised due to suspicious events during the vote count, including a power outage and discrepancies in the vote tally.

The People's Party also addressed allegations in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, where a video clip suggests vote-buying activities. The party plans to submit this evidence to the Election Commission. Mr. Thira, a legal team member, emphasized that these cases underscore broader concerns about the fairness and transparency of the election process in multiple regions.

Mr. Teera insisted that the party's actions are not motivated by their election loss but by a commitment to ensuring a legitimate and fair electoral process. He warned that any government formed through fraudulent means would lack legitimacy.

Mr. Kittichai reiterated the party's stance, emphasizing that while they accept defeat, they cannot accept results tainted by cheating. The party continues to receive reports of electoral misconduct, with over 1,000 reports currently filed in their system.