COMELEC seeks public support identify flying voters

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has called on the public to help them identify flying voters who applied for registration during the recently concluded voters’ registration period in connection with the October 25, 2010 Barangay elections.
In a statement, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez announced that COMELEC Offices nationwide is set to post on Monday, August 16, 2010, a list of voters who applied for registration.

“We are calling on the public to help us identify flying voters by looking at the list of registrants that will be posted outside the Office of the Election Officer in your area on Monday. If you see people who are not residents in your Barangay, report it to your Election Officer so that they may be excluded from the voters list, if necessary,” said Jimenez.

Republic Act 8189 or the Voters Registration Act of 1996 states that any voter, candidate, or representative of a registered political party may challenge, in writing and under oath, any application for registration.

Opposition to contest a registrant’s application, said Jimenez, will be heard by the Election Registration Boards (ERB) for approval or disapproval.

According to COMELEC Resolution 9007, the last day to file opposition to the applications for registration/transfer of registration records is on August 18, 2010. Election Registration Boards (ERBs) will be hearing all applications on August 20, 2010.

COMELEC Execs to be Axed for Botched Ballot Secrecy Folder Deal

MANILA, Philippines – A number of Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials are facing administrative sanctions for their alleged involvement in the botched P689.7-million ballot secrecy folder deal.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that upon the recommendation of the legal department, the commission is ready to impose sanctions on those found guilty of involvement in the irregularity.

“The report will be submitted to us then we will decide based on the recommendation if we should penalize administratively those found guilty,” Sarmiento said.

He added that the Comelec is expecting the legal department headed by lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan to submit the report today.

The commissioner also hinted that the poll body is ready to reprimand the three-man investigation team headed by Rafanan if it fails anew to submit its findings today.

“I think we will decide accordingly because people are asking about the status of this investigation. We will ask the committee to fast-track the investigation because so many extensions have been given to them,” Sarmiento said.

Rafanan’s team was supposed to submit the report last week, but Sarmiento said the panel once again requested for an extension until today to complete their report on the controversy.

Earlier, the commission tasked the panel to probe the cancelled procurement of more than 1.8 million ballot secrecy folders worth P380 each from OTC Paper Supply.

The poll body intended to use the special folders in the last May polls, but eventually decided to use ordinary folders.

Poll body officials previously reported that some of their people are being investigated and the investigation panel is looking into their relationship with OTC. - By Mayen Jaymalin (Philstar News Service)