The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the conduct of the raffle for the order of listing of party-list groups in the official ballots on Dec. 10.

The poll body will conduct the raffle virtually amid the continued threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"Whereas, the Commission deems it proper to introduce the use of online platforms, and mechanisms in conducting the raffle to ensure the safety of all concerned against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," the Comelec said in Resolution No. 10733.

The poll body said the raffle shall be held at 10 a.m., at the Commission En Banc Session Hall, 8th Floor Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., Intramuros Manila and simultaneously via Microsoft Teams (MS Teams).

It added that a Minute Resolution listing all party list groups, organizations, or coalitions allowed to participate in the raffle shall be issued by the Commission En Banc.

To be included in the raffle are existing party-list groups, whose registrations were retained by the Commission and have filed their Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Party-List Elections; party-list groups that are newly-registered and accredited by the Commission, and have filed their Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Party-List Elections.

Also to be included are those with pending registration and accreditation but have filed their Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Party-List Elections such as those whose registration and accreditation were cancelled or denied by the Commission En Banc but were able to secure a status quo ante order from the Supreme Court; whose Petitions for Registration have been denied by a Division of the Comelec but have filed motions for reconsideration with the En Banc; whose Petitions for Registration are still pending with a Division of the Commission; and those who filed their Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Party-List Elections beyond the deadline with pending consideration before the Commission En Banc.

But the poll body said their participation in the raffle is without prejudice to the resolution of the pending incidents and the possible exclusion in the official ballot.

"At any time, prior to the publication of the final listing of candidates to appear on the official ballot, the Commission has the authority to exclude any party-list groups, organizations, or coalitions, whose motions for reconsideration (registering) or manifestations of intent to participate (existing) have been denied," the resolution read.

Last week, the Comelec announced that 76 partylist groups and political parties have been denied accreditation.