Friday, June 01, 2007 Reassigned poll officials to go back to posts
ALL election officers who were temporarily reassigned to other areas for the May 14 elections will be asked to return to their respective poll offices after the election period.
While waiting for the order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office, poll officers were instructed to make sure that all required reports and documents related to the elections should be submitted to the concerned offices.
A memorandum signed by Comelec 7 Regional Director Ray Rene Buac stated that in previous elections, failure to comply with the documentary requirements delayed the releasing of their benefits.
Among those reassigned prior to the election was Acting Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Edwin Cadungog, who was replaced by Comelec 7 Regional Attorney Lionel Marco Castillano.
Cadungog was moved to Toledo City, replacing election officer Federico Sanchez, who was also transferred to the Cebu City souh district poll office.
Sanchez eventually transferred to the Daanbantayan poll office, replacing election officer Malou Andrino, whose mother died a day before the election.
From Barili, lawyer Gallardo Escobar was transferred to Talisay City replacing Corazon Moran, who was transferred to Argao.
The election officers are expected to be back to their original posts when the election period ends on June 13.
Buac also ordered all his election officers to submit not later than June 15 a report on the conduct of the elections in their areas of responsibility.
The report must state the problems the election officers encountered during the elections, as well as the measures taken to address the problems.
It should also include their observations on what election rules, procedures and instructions from Comelec they found difficult to implement, as well as their recommendations on how to better manage the electoral process.
The election officers were also asked to include in their report whatever lessons they learned during the election period. (MBG)
