DUMAGUETE CITY – Voters wearing campaign t-shirts at polling precincts during Monday’s elections can still vote, however, they can be charged, a key poll body official here said.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Negros Oriental provincial election supervisor-designate, told reporters here on Friday the wearing of campaign clothes inside polling precincts is a violation of the law.
“This is prohibited because campaigning is no longer allowed on election day and in fact, the campaign period ends at 12 midnight on May 7,” Castillano said.
The Comelec officer urged the public to take pictures of those wearing campaign t-shirts on election day and report them to authorities.
They can be sued for this, he said, however, there is no barring their right to cast their vote, he added.
A local candidate who is seeking reelection has earlier asked the Comelec here to be vigilant after having received information that some quarters have allegedly asked their supporters and leaders to wear their campaign t-shirts inside the polling precincts during the elections.
Castillano asked to take pictures as evidence.
Likewise, those who give support to a candidate on election day cannot be arrested but a complaint can be filed against them later on, he added. (PNA)
