POLITICAL parties which will be given additional privileges come the May 13 midterm polls will soon be determined by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Promulgated last January 15, Comelec Resolution 9611 provides the poll body will identify the dominant majority party, dominant minority party, 10 major national parties, and two major local parties.
“Political parties duly registered with the Commission may file a verified petition for accreditation for determination of dominant majority party, dominant minority party, 10 major national parties and two major local parties,” said the resolution.
The last day of filing of petitions is on February 15 at the office of the Clerk of the Commission along with a fee of P10,100.
According to Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law, the fifth and sixth copy of the election returns (ERs) while the seventh and eighth copies of the Certificates of Canvass (COCs) will be given to the dominant majority and minority party, respectively.
Electronically transmitted precinct results shall also be afforded to the dominant majority and minority parties, said the commission.
The ninth to 18th printed copies of the ERs and COCs shall be given to the 10 accredited major national parties while the 19th and 20th copies shall go to the two accredited major local parties.
Aside from the ER copies, these parties can be assured that their official watchers will be given priorities in cramped precincts.
The parties shall be determined based on the established record of the party/coalition by taking into account their showing in past elections; the number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them; their identifiable political organizations based on their organized chapters; the ability to fill a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of senators; and other analogous circumstances that can determine their relative organizations and strengths.
In the 2010 presidential elections, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party was declared as the dominant majority party while the Liberal Party (LP) was the dominant minority party. (HDT/Sunnex)