Thai election commission orders recount of votes, new elections at eight polling stations
- Votes at two polling stations in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen will be recounted
- Six polling stations will have new elections due to the number of voters not matching the number of ballots in the March 24 vote
The Election Commission said in a statement that it had ordered a recount for two polling stations and new elections at six polling stations due to the number of voters not matching the number of ballots in the March 24 vote.
The commission has come under heavy public criticism over its alleged mismanagement of the nation’s first poll since a military coup in 2014. It was mainly accused of releasing delayed and inconsistent results.
Thursday’s orders were the first actions it has taken since the election to rectify problems or address complaints and protests. It has said it has received more than 100 protests, but it is not clear how many have been handled so far.
The commission also has the power to disqualify winning candidates, and there is concern that if it exercises that right, it could substantially affect the final certified vote totals that are due to be released on May 9.