Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (PNA file photo)
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday warned candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) that deployment of multiple poll watchers may already be considered as vote buying.
"Dapat po isang watcher lang sa kada presinto, minsan kumukuha sila ng dalawa bilang alternate. Minsan, isa muna sa umaga, tapos magpapalit sa hapon kapag magbibilangan na (There should only be one poll watcher per precinct, sometimes, they get two as alternates. At times, one watcher is present in the morning, and will be changed in the afternoon during the canvassing of votes)," Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.
"'Yung iba po ginagawang singkwentang watchers sa isang presinto. Iyan po ay ico-consider nating vote buying sa ating bagong patakaran (Others have 50 watchers in a single precinct. That shall be considered vote buying under our new guidelines),” he said,
Garcia explained that this may fall under the presumption of vote buying and vote selling, which could result in the candidates' disqualification, or being charged with an election offense.
He said the poll body will only allow alternate poll watchers on October 30.
Identifying multiple poll watchers per candidate is much easier now, considering reports from the public, he added.
"Pwedeng mai-report sa amin iyan at pwedeng gawing basehan ng pormal na kaso... kahit na report lang, kami na mismo ang nangangalap ng ebidensya (That can be reported to us, and that may be used as basis of a formal complaint, even it's only just a report, we will be the ones to gather evidence)," he said.
He also insisted that only personnel from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) are authorized to assist voters, not the so-called "watchers" of BSK bets.
Garcia also cited the PPCRV's authorization to secure the voters' list alongside designated precincts under its assistance help desk.
Wrapping up preparations
The Comelec, meanwhile, is almost a hundred percent done in its preparation for the October 30 polls, according to Garcia.
"Patuloy po ang pagdala natin ng accountable forms, mga balota at election returns. Nakumpleto na rin iyong aming tini-train na mga guro (We are continuously delivering accountable forms, official ballots, and election returns. We have also completed the number of teachers being trained)," he said.
Garcia said the poll body targets to finish the delivery of all accountable forms nationwide this week.
Last October 5, the Comelec started the deployment of official ballots and accountable forms, with the first batch sent to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Caraga.
Accountable forms in the farthest regions in the country are being prioritized in the deployment, with the National Printing Office (NPO) assigned in northern areas including Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, and the National Capital Region; and all other remaining regions' official ballots coming from Comelec's warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The Comelec said it has a real-time tracker of the election paraphernalia being delivered through a shared technology with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Likewise, Garcia assured focus on the preparations for the voting setup of the vulnerable sector, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
He also cited preparations for the voting of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
The poll body, meanwhile, is scheduled to have its final briefing for the upcoming BSKE by October 20. (PNA)
