Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on February 10 welcomed a decision of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to conduct a recount in accordance with its legal mandate, affirming that the government stands ready to wait before the formation of a new government.
Addressing a meeting at Prachinburi province, Anutin, who also leads the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), which secured a landslide victory according to preliminary results, stressed that any request for a recount must be carried out in accordance with the law, and that The government has no right to interfere in this matter.
He added that even if the announcement of the official election results is delayed, the public will not face significant adverse impacts, as the caretaker government will continue to administer the country.
He said Thailand needs to establish a fully empowered government as soon as possible to ensure effective governance. However, if official certification of results is delayed due to a recount to reassure the public, the government is willing to wait.
Anutin’s statement came as the People’s Party (PP) on the same day submitted a petition to the ECT, requesting a recount in 10 constituencies across Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Lampang, Surat Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Prakan, Tak, Saraburi, Maha Sarakham and Chai Nat provinces.
According to the PP, the move was prompted by reports of irregularities in the vote-counting process, which were noted by voters and widely circulated on social media.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the PP affirmed that it respects and accepts the election results, whether it wins or loses, but stressed that any fraud in the vote-counting process is unacceptable. The party said it has set up a task force to receive complaints, gather evidence and pursue legal action regarding alleged irregularities nationwide.
As of February 10, among the 10 constituencies where recounts have been requested, six showed preliminary results in favour of BJT candidates, two for the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), and two for the Klatham Party. The PP also called on voters to provide photos and relevant documents, particularly images of vote-count tally sheets posted at polling stations, to compare with the final consolidated results to be announced by the ECT.
According to updated data on the ECT’s website, 94,624 out of a total 101,331 polling units, or 94.21%, have completed vote counting and uploaded the results to the system.
Preliminary results show that the BJT has secured around 193 seats, far ahead of its rivals, with the PP winning 118 seats, the PTP - 74, the Klatham Party - 58, and the Democrat Party – 22./.
