Bangkok: A network of student activists representing groups from nine universities filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court on Monday, seeking a ruling that the Feb. 8 general election was unlawful. The group is calling for the election results to be voided due to the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers and has requested that the Election Commission (EC) organize a new election.

According to Thai News Agency, the legal challenge was led by Teerapat Suphaphithakpaibul, coordinator of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. The coalition includes student representatives from universities such as Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Kasetsart, Khon Kaen, KMITL, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Ramkhamhaeng, and Srinakharinwirot. They allege that the EC's use of tracking codes violates the constitutional principle of a secret ballot as the codes can identify or be traced back to individual voters.

The lawsuit names the EC and its Secretary-General as defendants, requesting the court to order a new election held in accordance with the law. The petitioners also seek a permanent ban on the use of QR codes, barcodes, or any identifying technology in future voting.

In addition to the lawsuit, the student network requested an emergency injunction to suspend the official certification of election results until a final judgment is delivered. The petition argues that a stay is necessary to prevent "difficult-to-remedy damage" that would occur if the results are certified before the court reaches a verdict.