Thailand’s new parliament convenes under a cloud of legal scrutiny over election ballot barcodes that could compromise voter secrecy.
BANGKOK: Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn formally opened the new parliament on Saturday. The ceremony proceeded as last month’s general election result faces a Constitutional Court petition over barcodes on the ballots.
The country’s Office of the Ombudsman said the barcodes might undermine the secrecy of the ballot. It petitioned the court to consider the case based on 21 public complaints.
The complaints allege barcodes and QR codes on the ballots could potentially identify which party or candidate a voter chose. The court previously annulled a 2006 election on grounds the voting process was not conducted in secret.
The Election Commission has defended the barcodes, stating they were for security purposes. It added that identifying a voter would require access to the securely stored upper half of the ballots.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party won a clear victory in the February 8 election. The party secured at least 191 seats in the 500-member parliament.
Bhumjaithai has said it will form a ruling coalition with the third-placed Pheu Thai Party and several smaller groups. This alliance commands more than 290 seats, raising the prospect of a stable government after years of political volatility.
In brief remarks to lawmakers, King Vajiralongkorn urged them to perform their duty. He said they must “uphold what is right and have the well-being of the people as their highest goal”.
Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene on Sunday to endorse a new house speaker and two deputy speakers. Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zaram, a veteran Bhumjaithai politician, is the party’s nominee for speaker.
The new speaker is expected to schedule a parliamentary session to vote for the prime minister. The incumbent Anutin is almost certain to retain the position.
Bhumjaithai deputy leader Siripong Angkasakulkiat told Reuters the vote for prime minister would likely take place on Thursday.
The Sun Malaysia
