Comelec Leyte told candidates, voters to be mindful of election day prohibitions

TACLOBAN CITY, May 8 (PNA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Leyte field office reminded candidates and voters of the prohibited acts on Monday in a bid to achieve honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

Leyte elections supervisor Corazon Montallana reiterated the prohibited activities during election day 30 meters from polling centers.

These are soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or any political party; setting up booths or stalls for the sale, etc., of merchandise or refreshments; and holding fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races, or any other similar sports.

Between Sunday and Monday, the liqour ban is also strictly observed.

Montallana said that any efforts to woo voters are deemed unlawful. Among these are giving, accepting, free transportation, food or drinks or things of value.

Among the rampant practice of influencing voters are vote buying and vote selling, which are election offenses and punishable under the Omnibus Election Code.

Vote selling and buying under Section 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election are punishable with imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office; political party will be fined with not less than Php10,000 while foreigners who are caught of the said act will be deported.

“This is very sad that this has become a culture of Filipinos, but still this is an election offense and they may face jail time,” said Montallana.

Stopping the culture of vote buying and vote selling is not only a responsibility of Comelec, but also the voters and all election stakeholders. “They should take part, for this not to proliferate,” she said.

“In the voters’ education and election procedures that the commission is implementing, this is leading to the way of getting away from vote buying,” she added.

The Comelec urged voters to file formal complaints against a candidate engaged in vote buying.

“Images post over social networking sites can be used as evidence for vote buying, however complainants must prove that indeed the images captured are actual act of vote buying.

Aside from vote buying voters are also reminded on the enforcement of liquor ban on election day even in areas celebrating their fiestas.

“Only establishments that cater to foreign tourists are allowed to sell liquor, however they need to apply for exemption,” Montallana added. (PNA)
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