Friday, March 30, 2007 Campaign period for local races has begun
POLL officials yesterday reminded candidates and voters not to resort to any vote-buying or selling, amid allegations of massive vote-buying in Cebu City’s south district.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office drew up a list of 10 acts prohibited during the campaign period, which is seen to help promote an orderly and peaceful election.
The set of guidelines included the prohibition on the use of public funds and equipment for an election campaign.
Comelec Regional Attorney Lionel Castillano said they decided to come up with the list to avoid confusion among the candidates and voters on what are the restrictions during the election period.
He admitted that Comelec’s regulations could be confusing sometimes, since these are covered by various election laws that have been amended over the years.
“It’s better to have all the prohibitions and allowed acts in just one list so both the candidates and the voters can be guided accordingly. I believe that if the candidates only know what they are not allowed to do under the law, they would not violate it,” Castillano told Sun.Star Cebu.
Castillano and Comelec Regional Director Rene Buac drafted the guidelines, which they will distribute to the political parties and candidates in the region.
The Comelec prohibits any form of campaigning on April 5 (Maundy Thursday), April 6 (Good Friday), May 13 (day before election) and May 14 (Election Day).
It also prohibits vote-selling and buying.
Reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña had accused the Genuine Opposition of buying votes in the south district and offering huge sums of money to candidates.
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The Comelec guidelines also state that no candidate, political party, organization or coalition is allowed to accept any aid, directly or indirectly, from any foreigner for election campaign or partisan political activity.
They are also not allowed to print, publish, post, distribute, air or broadcast any legally allowed election propaganda unless they bear the phrase “political advertisement paid for by”, followed by the complete name and address of the candidate and political party.
The guidelines prohibit the posting of election paraphernalia outside the designated common poster areas.
Castillano said the prohibitions listed in their guidelines are not new and have just been copied from the Omnibus Election Code, the Fair Elections Act and various Comelec resolutions and memoranda.
According to the guidelines, it is unlawful for any candidate, party or any person to give or accept transportation, food and drinks or anything of value during and within the five hours before and after a public meeting or to give or contribute money or things of value for such purpose.
Comelec also reminded candidates that no threats, intimidation, terrorism or use of fraudulent devices or other forms of coercion shall be used upon any person or members of their family to compel them to participate in a campaign or to cast their votes. (LCR)
