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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Abalos to BSKE bets: Hiring of too many poll watchers sign of vote buying

Abalos to BSKE bets: Hiring of too many poll watchers sign of vote buying

Published Oct 29, 2023 06:36 am

DILG SECRETARY ABALOS.jpg

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned on Sunday, Oct. 29, all Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) bets that employing too many poll watchers could be interpreted as a sign of ‘vote buying.’

In a statement, Abalos called on the BSKE aspirants and their supporters to adhere to the Commission on Election (COMELEC) regulations and not to resort to election violations to prevent problems in the event that they come up victorious.

He asserted that the BSKE candidates should deploy only the lawful number of poll watchers to prevent suspicions of committing vote buying offenses.

Under COMELEC Resolution No. 10946, Section 25 (k), Abalos stressed that there could be ‘presumption of vote buying’ in ‘hiring or appointing more than two watchers per precinct per candidate.’

The DILG chief stated that the COMELEC observed that political election candidates circumvent the illegal vote buying strategy by hiring poll watchers more than what is specified in the election law.

"Hinihiling ko sa publiko na maging mapagmatyag at mag-ulat sa COMELEC o DILG kung may mapansin silang presinto na umaapaw sa mga poll watchers. Iimbestigahan natin iyan nang maigi at gagawan ng kaukulang aksyon (I appeal to the public to be observant and report to the COMELEC or DILG if they will notice precincts with huge numbers of poll watchers. We will closely probe them and make the appropriate actions),’’ Abalos assured.

Under Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code, Abalos emphasized that poll bets may end up to six years in jail and perpetual disqualification from public office if they are caught resorting to vote buying schemes.

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