Bangkok: Professor Wirongrong has petitioned the Administrative Court to declare the February 8 referendum date invalid, arguing that the process of determining the date was illegal, unconstitutional, and violated the rights and freedoms of the people.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Wirangrong Tapparangsi, President of the University Network for National Reform, announced on Facebook that she has filed a petition with the Administrative Court. She is requesting the court to annul the Cabinet and the Election Commission's decision to set the referendum date for February 8, 2026, declaring it null and void.
Ms. Wirongrong stated that the impending referendum day, if allowed to proceed under the current circumstances, would cause serious and irreparable damage. She emphasized the need to protect the rule of law and her infringed rights, and to mitigate the financial burden on the national budget, which she claims is causing serious harm to the public interest. She has requested the court to issue a temporary injunction until a final judgment is rendered.
In her complaint, Ms. Wirongrong, a citizen with the right to vote and participate in the referendum under the Constitution, contends that the actions of government agencies, namely the Parliament, the Cabinet, and the Election Commission, in preparing for the referendum scheduled for February 8, 2026, violate her rights and freedoms and are unconstitutional. Her argument is based on the claim that the processes, practices, and procedures are illegal and contrary to the provisions of the Referendum Act of 2021.
The petition outlines several key reasons: the process of proposing and voting on the motion violated essential procedures stipulated in the Referendum Act and the Parliament's Rules of Procedure; the referendum date was not set within the legally prescribed timeframe; and the actions caused damage to the state and violated fundamental rights and freedoms.
Ms. Wirongrong argues that the referendum was conducted illegally, particularly by failing to meet the minimum 60-day timeframe required by Section 10 of the Referendum Act. She claims this constitutes an illegal exercise of power and violates her fundamental rights under the Constitution, causing her hardship as a citizen and eligible voter.
She warns that if the illegal process continues until the referendum day, it could seriously damage the sanctity of the new constitution in the future, potentially contesting its legality due to its unlawful origins. Additionally, she highlights the significant waste of public funds on an activity lacking legal justification.
Based on the legal reasons and facts presented, Ms. Wirongrong believes there has been a deliberate bypass of procedures for expediency, disregarding legal requirements. Therefore, she respectfully requests the Administrative Court to declare the "Cabinet/Election Commission Announcement" mandating a referendum on February 8, 2026, null and void.