EC is losing public trust

If any good has come from the performance of the Election Commission (EC) following the Feb 8 election, it is this: the organisation has exposed the top-down “mandarin” culture of the Thai bureaucracy, where officials act as regulators of the people rather than their servants.

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Public pressure on the EC is mounting as reports of alleged irregularities emerge daily.

Last week’s protests in Chon Buri — where residents demanded a recount for Constituency 1 — highlighted a disturbing lack of trust. Complaints also emerged that officials were stacking counting sheets on top of one another, effectively obscuring the process from public view.

The EC reportedly denied public demands for a recount, citing legal grounds: objections were not raised during the vote count, and the requested evidence could not be submitted.

On legalities, the EC may win the battle, but the agency charged with managing elections for over 53 million voters is losing the war on public trust.