Agra Election Statutes Compiled

7/21/2019 Agra Election Statutes Compiled

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preceding elections. 6owever, a maority thereof,including the Chairman, shall be -embers of the+hilippine 7ar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten years.324 The Chairman and the Commissioners shall beappointed by the +resident with the consent of theCommission on Appointments for a term of seven years

without reappointment. 8f those !rst appointed, three-embers shall hold oce for seven years, two -embersfor !ve years, and the last -embers for three years,without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancyshall be only for the une(pired term of the predecessor.)n no case shall any -ember be appointed or designatedin a temporary or acting capacity.

SECTION 2. The Commission on Elections shall e(ercisethe following powers and functions9

3#4 Enforce and administer all laws and regulationsrelative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite,initiative, referendum, and recall.324 E(ercise e(clusive original urisdiction over allcontests relating to the elections, returns, anduali!cations of all elective regional, provincial, and cityocials, and appellate urisdiction over all contestsinvolving elective municipal ocials decided by trialcourts of general urisdiction, or involving electivebarangay ocials decided by trial courts of limited

urisdiction.:ecisions, !nal orders, or rulings of the Commission onelection contests involving elective municipal andbarangay oces shall be !nal, e(ecutory, and notappealable.3;4 :ecide, e(cept those involving the right to vote, alluestions a/ecting elections, including determination of the number and location of polling places, appointmentof election ocials and inspectors, and registration of voters.

3<4 :eputi5e, with the concurrence of the +resident, lawenforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the0overnment, including the Armed "orces of the+hilippines, for the e(clusive purpose of ensuring free,orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.3=4 >egister, after sucient publication, political parties,organi5ations, or coalitions which, in addition to other

reuirements, must present their platform or program of government? and accredit citi5ens@ arms of theCommission on Elections. >eligious denominations andsects shall not be registered. Those which see toachieve their goals through violence or unlawful means,or refuse to uphold and adhere to this Constitution, orwhich are supported by any foreign government shallliewise be refused registration."inancial contributions from foreign governments andtheir agencies to political parties, organi5ations,

coalitions, or candidates related to elections constituteinterference in national a/airs, and, when accepted,shall be an additional ground for the cancellation of their registration with the Commission, in addition toother penalties that may be prescribed by law.3B4 "ile, upon a veri!ed complaint, or on its owninitiative, petitions in court for inclusion or e(clusion of voters? investigate and, where appropriate, prosecutecases of violations of election laws, including acts oromissions constituting election frauds, o/enses, andmalpractices.3&4 >ecommend to the Congress e/ective measures tominimi5e election spending, including limitation of places where propaganda materials shall be posted, andto prevent and penali5e all forms of election frauds,o/enses, malpractices, and nuisance candidacies.3%4 >ecommend to the +resident the removal of anyocer or employee it has deputi5ed, or the impositionof any other disciplinary action, for violation or disregardof, or disobedience to its directive, order, or decision.



3$4 Submit to the +resident and the Congress acomprehensive report on the conduct of each election,plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or recall.

SECTION 3. The Commission on Elections may sit enbanc or in two divisions, and shall promulgate its rulesof procedure in order to e(pedite disposition of election

cases, including pre1proclamation controversies. All suchelection cases shall be heard and decided in division,provided that motions for reconsideration of decisionsshall be decided by the Commission en banc.

SECTION 4. The Commission may, during the electionperiod, supervise or regulate the enoyment orutili5ation of all franchises or permits for the operationof transportation and other public utilities, media of communication or information, all grants, special

privileges, or concessions granted by the 0overnmentor any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof,including any government1owned or controlledcorporation or its subsidiary. Such supervision orregulation shall aim to ensure eual opportunity, time,and space, and the right to reply, including reasonable,eual rates therefor, for public information campaignsand forums among candidates in connection with theobective of holding free, orderly, honest, peaceful, andcredible elections.

SECTION 5. o pardon, amnesty, parole, or suspensionof sentence for violation of election laws, rules, andregulations shall be granted by the +resident withoutthe favorable recommendation of the Commission.

SECTION 6. A free and open party system shall beallowed to evolve according to the free choice of thepeople, subect to the provisions of this Article.

SECTION 7. o votes cast in favor of a political party,organi5ation, or coalition shall be valid, e(cept for thoseregistered under the party1list system as provided inthis Constitution.

SECTION 8. +olitical parties, or organi5ations orcoalitions registered under the party1list system, shall

not be represented in the voters@ registration boards,boards of election inspectors, boards of canvassers, orother similar bodies. 6owever, they shall be entitled toappoint poll watchers in accordance with law.

SECTION 9. 'nless otherwise !(ed by the Commissionin special cases, the election period shall commenceninety days before the day of the election and shall endthirty days after.

SECTION 10. 7ona !de candidates for any public oceshall be free from any form of harassment anddiscrimination.

SECTION 11. "unds certi!ed by the Commission asnecessary to defray the e(penses for holding regularand special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda,and recalls, shall be provided in the regular or specialappropriations and, once approved, shall be releasedautomatically upon certi!cation by the Chairman of the

Commission.

Omnibus Election Code

Article V))Sec. 52. Powers and !nctions o t"e Co##issionon E$ections. 1 )n addition to the powers and functionsconferred upon it by the Constitution, the Commissionshall have e(clusive charge of the enforcement andadministration of all laws relative to the conduct of



elections for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly andhonest elections, and shall9

a. E(ercise direct and immediate supervision andcontrol over national and local ocials oremployees, including members of any national orlocal law enforcement agency and instrumentalityof the government reuired by law to perform

duties relative to the conduct of elections. )naddition, it may authori5e C-T cadets eighteenyears of age and above to act as its deputies forthe purpose of enforcing its orders.

The Commission may relieve any ocer oremployee referred to in the preceding paragraphfrom the performance of his duties relating toelectoral processes who violates the election lawor fails to comply with its instructions, orders,decisions or rulings, and appoint his substitute.

'pon recommendation of the Commission, thecorresponding proper authority shall suspend orremove from oce any or all of such ocers oremployees who may, after due process, be foundguilty of such violation or failure.

b. :uring the period of the campaign and endingthirty days thereafter, when in any area of thecountry there are persons committing acts of terrorism to inuence people to vote for or againstany candidate or political party, the Commission

shall have the power to authori5e any member ormembers of the Armed "orces of the +hilippines,the ational 7ureau of )nvestigation, the)ntegrated ational +olice or any similar agency orinstrumentality of the government, e(cept civilianhome defense forces, to act as deputies for theelections.

c. +romulgate rules and regulations implementingthe provisions of this Code or other laws which theCommission is reuired to enforce and administer,and reuire the payment of legal fees and collect

the same in payment of any business done in theCommission, at rates that it may provide and !( inits rules and regulations.>ules and regulations promulgated by theCommission to implement the provisions of thisCode shall tae e/ect on the si(teenth day afterpublication in the 8cial 0a5ette or in at least

daily newspapers of general circulation. 8rdersand directives issued by the Commission pursuantto said rules and regulations shall be furnished bypersonal delivery to accredited political partieswithin forty1eight hours of issuance and shall taee/ect immediately upon receipt.)n case of conict between rules, regulations,orders or directives of the Commission in thee(ercise of its constitutional powers and thoseissued by any other administrative oce or

agency of the government concerning he samematter relative to elections, the former shallprevail.

d. Summon the parties to a controversy pendingbefore it, issue subpoena and subpoena ducestecum, and tae testimony in any investigation orhearing before it, and delegate such power to anyocer of the Commission who shall be a memberof the +hilippine 7ar. )n case of failure of a witnessto attend, the Commission, upon proof of service

of the subpoena to said witnesses, may issue awarrant to arrest witness and bring him before theCommission or the ocer before whom hisattendance is reuired.Any controversy submitted to the Commissionshall, after compliance with the reuirements of due process, be immediately heard and decidedby it within si(ty days from submission thereof. odecision or resolution shall be rendered by theCommission either en banc or by division unless



taen up in a formal session properly convened forthe purpose.

The Commission may, when necessary, avail of the assistance of any national or local lawenforcement agency andDor instrumentality of thegovernment to e(ecute under its direct andimmediate supervision any of its !nal decisions,

orders, instructions or rulings.e. +unish contempts provided for in the >ules of

Court in the same procedure and with the samepenalties provided therein. Any violation of any!nal and e(ecutory decision, order or ruling of theCommission shall constitute contempt thereof.

f. Enforce and e(ecute its decisions, directives,orders and instructions which shall haveprecedence over those emanating from any otherauthority, e(cept the Supreme Court and those

issued in habeas corpus proceedings.g. +rescribe the forms to be used in the election,

plebiscite or referendum.h. +rocure any supplies, euipment, materials or

services needed for the holding of the election bypublic bidding9 +rovided, That, if it !nds thereuirements of public bidding impractical toobserve, then by negotiations or sealed bids, andin both cases, the accredited parties shall be dulynoti!ed.

i. +rescribe the use or adoption of the latesttechnological and electronic devices, taing intoaccount the situation prevailing in the area andthe funds available for the purpose9 +rovided, Thatthe Commission shall notify the authori5edrepresentatives of accredited political parties andcandidates in areas a/ected by the use oradoption of technological and electronic devicesnot less than thirty days prior to the e/ectivity of the use of such devices.

. Carry out a continuing and systematic campaignthrough newspapers of general circulation, radiosand other media forms to educate the public andfully inform the electorate about election laws,procedures, decisions, and other matters relativeto the wor and duties of the Commission and thenecessity of clean, free, orderly and honest

electoral processes.. Enlist non1partisan group or organi5ations of

citi5ens from the civic, youth, professional,educational, business or labor sectors nown fortheir probity, impartiality and integrity with themembership and capability to undertae acoordinated operation and activity to assist it inthe implementation of the provisions of this Codeand the resolutions, orders and instructions of theCommission for the purpose of ensuring free,

orderly and honest elections in any constituency.Such groups or organi5ations shall function under thedirect and immediate control and supervision of theCommission and shall perform the following speci!cfunctions and duties9

A. 7efore Election :ay9#. 'ndertae an information campaign

on salient features of this Code andhelp in the dissemination of theorders, decisions and resolutions of

the Commission relative to theforthcoming election.

2. Fage a registration drive in theirrespective areas so that all citi5ens of voting age, not otherwise disuali!edby law may be registered.

;. 6elp cleanse the list of voters of illegalregistrants, conduct house1to1housecanvass if necessary, and tae theappropriate legal steps towards thisend.



<. >eport to the Commission violations of the provisions of this Code on theconduct of the political campaign,election propaganda and electorale(penditures.

7. 8n Election :ay9#. E(hort all registered voters in their

respective areas to go to their pollingplaces and cast their votes.

2. ominate one watcher foraccreditation in each polling place andeach place of canvass who shall havethe same duties, functions and rightsas the other watchers of politicalparties and candidates. -embers orunits of any citi5en group ororgani5ation so designated by the

Commission e(cept its lone dulyaccredited watcher, shall not beallowed to enter any polling placee(cept to vote, and shall, if they sodesire, stay in an area at least !ftymeters away from the polling place.

;. >eport to the peace authorities andother appropriate agencies allinstances of terrorism, intimidation of voters, and other similar attempts to

frustrate the free and orderly castingof votes.

<. +erform such other functions as maybe entrusted to such group ororgani5ation by the Commission.

The designation of any group or organi5ation made inaccordance herewith may be revoed by theCommission upon notice and hearing whenever by itsactuations such group or organi5ation has shownpartiality to any political party or candidate, or hasperformed acts in e(cess or in contravention of the

functions and duties herein provided and such otherswhich may be granted by the Commission.

l. Conduct hearings on controversies pending beforeit in the cities or provinces upon proper motion of any party, taing into consideration themateriality and number of witnesses to bepresented, the situation prevailing in the area and

the fund available for the purpose.m. "i( other reasonable periods for certain pre1

election reuirements in order that voters shallnot be deprived of their right of su/rage andcertain groups of rights granted them in this Code.

'nless indicated in this Code, the Commission is herebyauthori5ed for !( the appropriate period for the variousprohibited acts enumerated herein, consistent with thereuirements of free, orderly, and honest elections.

Sec. 53. %ie$d o&ces o t"e Co##ission. 1 TheCommission shall have the following !eld oces9

#. >egional Election 8ce, headed by the >egionalElection :irector and assisted by the Assistant>egional :irector and such other subordinateocers or employees as the Commission mayappoint.

2. +rovincial Election 8ce, headed by the +rovincialElection Supervisor and assisted by such other

subordinate ocers or employees as theCommission may appoint.

;. CityD-unicipal Election 8ce, headed by theCityD-unicipal >egistrar who shall be assisted byan election cler and such other employees as theCommission may appoint.

The Commission may delegate its powers and functionsor order the implementation or enforcement of itsorders, rulings, or decisions through the heads of its!eld oces.



Sec. 54. '!a$i(cations. 1 8nly members of the+hilippines 7ar shall be eligible for appointment to theposition of regional director, assistant regional director,provincial election supervisor and election registrar9+rovided, however, That if there are no members of the+hilippine 7ar available for appointment as electionregistrar, e(cept in cities and capital towns, graduates

of duly recogni5ed schools of law, liberal arts, educationor business administration who possess the appropriatecivil service eligibility may be appointed to said position.

Sec. 55. O&ce s)ace. 1 The local governmentconcerned shall provide a suitable place for the oce of the provincial election supervisor and his sta/ and theelection registrar and his sta/9 +rovided, That in case of failure of the local government concerned to providesuch suitable place, the provincial election supervisor or

the election registrar, as the case may be, upon priorauthority of the Commission and notice to the localgovernment concerned, may lease another place foroce and the rentals thereof shall be chargeable to thefunds of the local government concerned.

Sec. 56. C"an*es in t"e co#)osition+ distri,!tionor assi*n#ent o (e$d o&ces. 1 The Commissionmay mae changes in the composition, distribution andassignment of !eld oces, as well as its personnel,

whenever the e(igencies of the service and the interestof free, orderly, and honest election so reuire9+rovided, That such changes shall be e/ective andenforceable only for the duration of the election periodconcerned and shall not a/ect the tenure of oce of theincumbents of positions a/ected and shall not constitutea demotion, either in ran or salary, nor result in changeof status9 and +rovided, further, That there shall be nochanges in the composition, distribution or assignmentwithin thirty days before election, e(cept for cause andafter due notice and hearing, and that in no case shall a

regional or assistant regional director be assigned to aregion? a provincial election supervisor to a province? ora city or municipal election registrar to a city ormunicipality, where he andDor his spouse are related toany candidate within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or anity as the case may be.

Sec. 57. -eas!res to ens!re enorce#ent. 1 "or thee/ective enforcement of the provisions of this Code, theCommission is further vested and charged with thefollowing powers, duties and responsibilities9

#. To issue search warrants after e(amination underoath or armation of the complainant and thewitnesses

2. To stop any illegal election activity, or con!scate,tear down, and stop any unlawful, libelous,misleading or false election propaganda, after due

notice and hearing.;. To inuire into the !nancial records of candidates

and any organi5ation or group of persons, motuproprio or upon written representation forprobable cause by any candidate or group of persons or uali!ed voter, after due notice andhearing.

"or purposes of this section, the Commission may availitself of the assistance of the Commission on Audit, theCentral 7an, the ational 7ureau of )nvestigation, the

7ureau of )nternal >evenue, the Armed "orces of the+hilippines, the )ntegrated ational +olice of the+hilippines, barangay ocials, and other agencies of thegovernment.

Sec. 58. is/!a$i(cations o #e#,ers o t"eCo##ission. 1 The chairman and members of theCommission shall be subect to the canons of udicialethics in the discharge of their functions.o chairman or commissioner shall sit in any case inwhich he has manifested bias or preudice for or against



or antagonism against any party thereto and inconnection therewith, or in any case in which he wouldbe disuali!ed under the >ules of Court. )f it be claimedthat the chairman or a commissioner is disuali!ed asabove provided, the party obecting to his competencymay !le his obection in writing with the Commissionstating the ground therefor. The ocial concerned shall

continue to participate in the hearing or withdrawntherefrom in accordance with his determination of theuestion of his disuali!cation. The decision shallforthwith be made in writing and !led with the otherpapers of the case in accordance with the >ules of Court. )f a disuali!cation should result in a lac of uorum in the Commission sitting en banc, the +residing

Gustice of the )ntermediate Appellate Court shalldesignate a ustice of said court to sit in said case forthe purpose of hearing and reaching a decision thereon.

Sec. 59. P!,$ication o o&cia$ ,a$$ots and e$ectionret!rns and )rintin* t"ereo. 1 The Commission shallpublish at least ten days before an election in anewspaper of general circulation certi!ed data on thenumber of ocial ballots and election returns and thenames and addresses of the printers and the numberprinted by each.

8ther +rovisions9

Sec. 5. Post)one#ent o e$ection. 1 Fhen for anyserious cause such as violence, terrorism, loss ordestruction of election paraphernalia or records, forcemaeure, and other analogous causes of such a naturethat the holding of a free, orderly and honest electionshould become impossible in any political subdivision,the Commission, motu proprio or upon a veri!edpetition by any interested party, and after due noticeand hearing, whereby all interested parties are a/orded

eual opportunity to be heard, shall postpone the

election therein to a date which should be reasonablyclose to the date of the election not held, suspended orwhich resulted in a failure to elect but not later thanthirty days after the cessation of the cause for suchpostponement or suspension of the election or failure toelect.

Sec. 6. %ai$!re o e$ection. 1 )f, on account of forcemaeure, violence, terrorism, fraud, or other analogouscauses the election in any polling place has not beenheld on the date !(ed, or had been suspended beforethe hour !(ed by law for the closing of the voting, orafter the voting and during the preparation and thetransmission of the election returns or in the custody orcanvass thereof, such election results in a failure toelect, and in any of such cases the failure or suspensionof election would a/ect the result of the election, the

Commission shall, on the basis of a veri!ed petition byany interested party and after due notice and hearing,call for the holding or continuation of the election notheld, suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect ona date reasonably close to the date of the election notheld, suspended or which resulted in a failure to electbut not later than thirty days after the cessation of thecause of such postponement or suspension of theelection or failure to elect.

Sec. 68. is/!a$i(cations. 1 Any candidate who, in anaction or protest in which he is a party is declared by!nal decision of a competent court guilty of, or found bythe Commission of having

a. given money or other material consideration toinuence, induce or corrupt the voters or publicocials performing electoral functions?

b. committed acts of terrorism to enhance hiscandidacy?

c. spent in his election campaign an amount in

e(cess of that allowed by this Code?



d. solicited, received or made any contributionprohibited under Sections %$, $=, $B, $& and #H<?or

e. violated any of Sections %H, %;, %=, %B and 2B#,paragraphs d, e, , v, and cc, subparagraph B,

shall be disuali!ed from continuing as acandidate, or if he has been elected, from holdingthe oce. Any person who is a permanentresident of or an immigrant to a foreign countryshall not be uali!ed to run for any elective oceunder this Code, unless said person has waivedhis status as permanent resident or immigrant of a foreign country in accordance with the residencereuirement provided for in the election laws.

Sec. 69. N!isance candidates. 1 The Commissionmay motu proprio or upon a veri!ed petition of aninterested party, refuse to give due course to or cancela certi!cate of candidacy if it is shown that saidcerti!cate has been !led to put the election process inmocery or disrepute or to cause confusion among thevoters by the similarity of the names of the registeredcandidates or by other circumstances or acts whichclearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona !deintention to run for the oce for which the certi!cate of

candidacy has been !led and thus prevent a faithfuldetermination of the true will of the electorate.

Sec. 72. Eects o dis/!a$i(cation cases and)riorit. 1 The Commission and the courts shall givepriority to cases of disuali!cation by reason of violationof this Act to the end that a !nal decision shall berendered not later than seven days before the electionin which the disuali!cation is sought.Any candidate who has been declared by !nal udgment

to be disuali!ed shall not be voted for, and the votes

cast for him shall not be counted. evertheless, if forany reason, a candidate is not declared by !nal

udgment before an election to be disuali!ed and he isvoted for and receives the winning number of votes insuch election, his violation of the provisions of thepreceding sections shall not prevent his proclamationand assumption to oce.

Sec. 76. -inisteria$ d!t o receiin* andacnow$ed*in* recei)t. 1 The Commission, provincialelection supervisor, election registrar or ocerdesignated by the Commission or the board of electioninspectors under the succeeding section shall have theministerial duty to receive and acnowledge receipt of the certi!cate of candidacy.

Sec. 149. Precincts and t"eir esta,$is"#ent. 1 The

unit of territory for the purpose of voting is the electionprecinct, and every barangay as of the approval of thisAct shall have at least one such precinct.

The Commission shall establish all election precincts. The precincts actually established in the precedingregular election shall be maintained, but theCommission may introduce such adustments, changesor new divisions or abolish them, if necessary9 +rovided,however, That the territory comprising an electionprecinct shall not be altered or a new precinct

established within forty1!ve days before a regularelection and thirty days before a special election or areferendum or plebiscite.

Sec. 150. rran*e#ents o e$ection )recincts. 1#. Each election precinct shall have, as far as

possible not more than three hundred voters andshall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguousand compact territory.

2. Fhen it appears that an election precinct contains

more than three hundred voters, the Commission



shall, in the interest of orderly election, and inorder to facilitate the casting of votes, beauthori5ed to divide a precinct not later than onewee after the last day of registration of voters.7ut the polling place of all the precincts createdthereby shall be located in the same building orcompound where the polling place of the original

precinct is located, and if this be not feasible, in aplace as close as possible to the polling place of the original precinct9 +rovided, however, That thepolling place of the new precinct may be locatedelsewhere upon written petition of the maority of the voters of the new precinct9 +rovided, further,

That when a precinct is divided into two or moreprecincts, the registered voters shall be includedin the precinct wherein they reside. Every case of alteration of a precinct shall be duly published by

posting a notice of any change in conspicuouslocation in the precinct, and in the municipalbuilding or city hall, as the case may be.

;. A municipality which has been merged withanother municipality shall constitute at least oneelection precinct, if the distance between theremotest barangay of the merged municipalityand the nearest polling place in the municipalityto which it has been merged shall, by the shortestroad, e(ceed !ve ilometers.

<. An island or group of islands having one hundredand !fty or more voters shall constitute a precinct.

=. Any alteration of the election precincts or theestablishment of new ones shall be communicatedto the provincial election supervisor, the provincialsuperintendent of schools, etc. together with thecorresponding maps, which shall be published asprescribed in the ne(t succeeding sections.

Sec. 153. esi*nation o )o$$in* )$aces. 1 The

location of polling places designated in the preceding

regular election shall continue with such changes as theCommission may !nd necessary, after notice toregistered political parties and candidates in the politicalunit a/ected, if any, and hearing9 +rovided, That nolocation shall be changed within forty1!ve days before aregular election and thirty days before a special electionor a referendum or plebiscite, e(cept in case it is

destroyed or it cannot be used.

Sec. 269. Preerentia$ dis)osition o e$ectionoenses. 1 The investigation and prosecution of casesinvolving violations of the election laws shall be givenpreference and priority by the Commission on Electionsand prosecuting ocials. Their investigation shall becommenced without delay, and shall be resolved by theinvestigating ocer within !ve days from its submissionfor resolution. The courts shall liewise give preference

to election o/enses over all other cases, e(ceptpetitions for writ of habeas corpus. Their trial shallliewise be commenced without delay, and shall beconducted continuously until terminated, and the caseshall be decided within thirty days from its submissionfor decision.

Sec. 274. ccreditation o do#inant o))osition)art. 1 "or purposes of the ne(t local elections in #$%Band the ne(t presidential elections in #$%& or earlier,

the dominant opposition party shall be that politicalparty, group or organi5ation or coalition of maornational or regional political parties opposed to themaority party which has the capability to wage a bona!de nationwide campaign as shown by the e(tent of itsorgani5ation and the number of -embers of +arliamentaliated with it9 +rovided, however, That with speci!creference to the ne(t local elections in constituencieswhich are represented in the 7atasang +ambansa by-embers who do not belong either to the maority party

or to the political party or coalition of political parties



described above, the representatives of the oppositionin the board of election inspectors, board of canvassersor other similar bodies shall be proposed e(clusively bythe party to which said -ember of the 7atasang+ambansa belong9 +rovided, however, That it isregistered before the ne(t local elections.Any political party, group or organi5ation or coalition of

political parties seeing accreditation under this sectionshall !le a veri!ed petition with the Commission onElections stating therein such information as may benecessary to enable the Commission to determine theuali!cations for accreditation in accordance with thestandard herein provided.

The Commission on Elections shall accredit thedominant opposition party not later than thirty daysbefore the campaign period in every election.

The Commission on Elections shall accredit the

dominant opposition party not later than thirty daysbefore the campaign period in every election.)n case a presidential election is held before the ne(tlocal elections or before the presidential election in#$%&, the provisions of the Constitution shall beenforced in determining which shall be the dominantopposition party for purposes of the ne(t local elections

Automated Election Law: (AMENDMENTS)

SEC. 5 Authority to Use an Automated Election System.

1 To carry out the above1stated policy, the Commissionon Elections, herein referred to as the Commission, ishereby authori5ed to use an automated election systemor systems in the same election in di/erent provinces,whether paper1based or a direct recording electronicelection system as it may deem appropriate andpractical for the process of voting, counting of votes andcanvassingDconsolidation and transmittal of results of electoral e(ercises9 Provided, that for the regularnational and local election, which shall be held

immediately after e/ectivity of this Act, the AES shall be

used in at least two highly urbani5ed cities and twoprovinces each in Iu5on, Visayas and -indanao, to bechosen by the Commission9 Provided, further , That localgovernment units whose ocials have been the subectof administrative charges within si(teen 3#B4 monthprior to the -ay #<, 2HH& election shall not bechosen9 Provided, nally , That no area shall be chosen

without the consent of the Sanggunian of the localgovernment unit concerned. The term local governmentunit as used in this provision shall refer to a highlyurbani5ed city or province. )n succeeding regularnational or local elections, the AES shall beimplemented nationwide.

SEC.12. Procurement of Equipment and Materials. 1 Toachieve the purpose of this Act, the Commission inauthori5ed to procure, in accordance with e(isting laws,

by purchase, lease, rent or other forms of acuisition,supplies, euipment, materials, software, facilities, andother service, from local or foreign sources free fromta(es and import duties, subect to accounting andauditing rules and regulation. Fith respect to the -ay#H, 2H#H election and succeeding electoral e(ercises,the system procured must have demonstrated capabilityand been successfully used in a prior electoral e(ercisehere or board. +articipation in the 2HH& pilot e(erciseshall not be conclusive of the systemJs !tness.

K)n determining the amount of any bid from atechnology, software or euipment supplier, the cost tothe government of its deployment and implementationshall be added to the bid price as integral thereto. Thevalue of any alternative use to which such technology,software or euipment can be put for public use shallnot be deducted from the original face value of the saidbid.K

SEC.14. Examination and Testing of Equipment or

evice of the AES and !pening of the Source "ode for



#evie$. 1 The Commission shall allow the politicalparties and candidates or their representatives, citi5ensJarm or their representatives to e(amine and test.

The euipment or device to be used in the voting andcounting on the day of the electoral e(ercise, beforevoting start. Test ballots and test forms shall beprovided by the Commission.

)mmediately after the e(amination and testing of theeuipment or device, parties and candidates or theirrepresentatives, citi5enJs arms or their representatives,may submit a written comment to the election ocerwho shall immediately transmit it to the Commission forappropriate action.

The election ocer shall eep minutes of the testing, acopy of which shall be submitted to the Commissiontogether with the minute of voting.8nce an AES technology is selected for implementation,

the Commission shall promptly mae the source code of that technology available and open to any interestedpolitical party or groups which may conduct their ownreview thereof.

SEC.15. !%cial &allot . 1 The Commission shall prescribethe format of the electronic display andDor the si5e andform of the ocial ballot, which shall contain the titlesof the position to be !lled andDor the proposition to bevoted upon in an initiative, referendum or plebiscite.

Fhere practicable, electronic displays must beconstructed to present the names of all candidates forthe same position in the same page or screen,otherwise, the electronic displays must be constructedto present the entire ballot to the voter, in a series of seuential pages, and to ensure that the voter sees allof the ballot options on all pages before completing hisor her vote and to allow the voter to review and changeall ballot choices prior to completing and casting his orher ballot. 'nder each position to be !lled, the names of

candidates shall be arranged alphabetically by surname

and uniformly indicated using the same type si5e. Themaiden or married name shall be listed in the ocialballot, as preferred by the female candidate. 'nder eachproposition to be vote upon, the choices should beuniformly indicated using the same font and si5e.A !(ed space where the chairman of the board of election inspector shall a( herDher signature to

authenticate the ocial ballot shall be provided."or this purpose, the Commission shall set the deadlinefor the !ling of certi!cate of candidacyDpetition of registrationDmanifestation to participate in the election.Any person who !les his certi!cate of candidacy withinthis period shall only be considered as a candidate atthe start of the campaign period for which he !led hiscerti!cate of candidacy9 Provided, That, unlawful acts oromissions applicable to a candidate shall e/ect onlyupon that start of the aforesaid campaign

period9 Provided, nally , That any person holding apublic appointive oce or position, including activemembers of the armed forces, and ocers, andemployees in government1owned or1controlledcorporations, shall be considered ipso factor resignedfrom hisDher oce and must vacate the same at thestart of the day of the !ling of hisDher certi!cation of candidacy.+olitical parties may hold political conventions tonominate their ocial candidate within thirty 3;H4 days

before the start of the period for !ling certi!cate of candidacy.Fith respect to a paper1based election system, theocial ballots shall be printed by the ational +rinting8ce andDor the &ang'o Sentral ng Pilipinas at the pricecomparable with that of private printers under propersecurity measures which the Commission shall adopt.

The Commission may contact the services of privateprinters upon certi!cation by the ational +rinting8ceD&ang'o Sentral ng Pilipinas that it cannot meet

the printing reuirements. Accredited political parties



and deputi5ed citi5enJs arms of the Commission shallassign watchers in the printing, storage and distributionof ocial ballots.

To prevent the use of fae ballots, the Commissionthrough the Committee shall ensure that the necessarysafeguards, such as, but not limited to, bar codes,holograms, color shifting in, microprinting, are provided

on the ballot. The ocial ballots shall be printed and distributed toeach cityDmunicipality at the rate of one ballot for everyregistered voter with a provision of additional threeballots per precinct.

SEC. 17. &allot (ox . 1 Fhere applicable, there shall bein each precinct on election day a ballot bo( with suchsafety features that the Commission may prescribe andof such si5e as to accommodate the ocial ballots.

SEC. 18. Procedure in voting. 1 The Commission shallprescribe the manner and procedure of voting, whichcan be easily understood and followed by the voters,taing into consideration, among other things, thesecrecy of the voting.

SEC. 19. "losing of polls.1 The Commission shallprescribe the time, manner and procedure of closing thepolls and the steps for the correct reporting of votes

cast and the proper conduct of counting for areascovered by the AES.

SEC. 27. )ational &oard of "anvassers for Senators andParty*+ist #epresentatives. 1 The chairman andmembers of the Commission on Election sitting en (anc,shall compose the national board of canvassers forsenators and party1list representatives. )t shall canvassthe results by consolidating the certi!cates of canvasselectronically transmitted. Thereafter, the national

board shall proclaim the winning candidates for senatorsand party1list representatives.

SEC. 37. #ules and #egulations. 1 The Commission shallpromulgate rules and regulation for the implementationand enforcement of this Act.otwithstanding the foregoing canvassing procedure,

the Commission is authori5ed to prescribe other manneror procedure for the canvassing and consolidation of votes as technology evolves, subect to the provisions of Section & hereof on the minimum capabilities of the AESand other pertinent laws.Sec. 52. Po$ers and unctions of the "ommission onElections, 1 )n addition to the powers and functionsconferred upon it buy the constitution the commissionshall have e(clusive charge of the enforcement andadministration of all laws relative to conduct of elections

for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly and honestelections, ece)t as ot"erwise )roided "erein ands"a$$9

Continuing egist!ation Act

Sec. 6. rran*e#ent o Precincts. 1 Every barangayshall have at least one 3#4 precinct. Each precinct, shallhave no more than two hundred 32HH4 voters and shallcomprise contiguous and compact territories.

a. A precinct shall be allowed to have less than 2HHregistered voters under the following conditions9

#. As soon as the 2HH1limit for every precincthas been reached, a spin1o/ or daughterprecinct shall be created automatically bythe Commission to accommodate votersresiding within the territorial urisdiction of the original precinct. Thereafter, a separatelist of new voters shall be prepared by theElection 8cer? and



2. An island or group of islands with less thantwo hundred 32HH4 voters may comprise one3#4 original precinct.

b. Every case of alteration of precincts shall be dulyannounced by posting a notice thereof in aconspicuous place in the precinct, in the oce of the election ocer and in the city or municipal

hall and by providing political parties andcandidates a list of all the precincts at the start of the campaign period? and

c. Consolidation or merger of at most three 3;4precincts may be allowed9 +rovided, That thecomputeri5ed counting shall be implemented9+rovided, further, That the merger of suchprecincts shall be e/ected ninety 3$H4 days beforeelection day.

Sec. 24. Nationa$ Centra$ %i$e. 1 There shall be anational central !le under the custody of theCommission in -anila consisting of the third copies of allapproved voter registration records in each city ormunicipality. )t shall be compiled by precinct in eachcityDmunicipality and arranged alphabetically bysurname so as to mae the !le a replica of the boo of voters in the possession of the Election 8cer.

Thereafter a national list shall be prepared following thealphabetical arrangements of surnames of voters.

There shall be a national !le consisting of thecomputeri5ed votersJ list 3CVI4, both in print and indisette, submitted by the Election 8cers in each cityand municipality concerned, under the custody of theCommission in -anila.

The computeri5ed votersJ list shall mae use of a singleand uniform computer program that will have a detailedsorting capability to list voters alphabetically by theprecincts where they vote, by the barangays,municipalities, cities or provinces where they reside and

by their voters identi!cation number 3V)4.

Sec. 25. oters Identi(cation Card. 1 The votersidenti!cation card issued to the registered voter shallserve as a document for his identi!cation. )n case of lossor destruction, no copy thereof may be issued e(cept tothe registered voter himself and only upon the authorityof the Commission.

The Commission shall adopt a design for the voterJsidenti!cation card which shall be, as much as possible,tamper proof. )t shall provide the following9 the nameand address of the voter, his date of birth, se(,photograph, thumbmar, and the number of precinctwhere he is registered, the signature of the voter andthe chairman of the Election >egistration 7oard and thevoterJs identi!cation number 3V)4.

Sec. 26. oters Identi(cation N!#,er IN. 1 The

Commission shall assign every registered voter a voterJsidenti!cation number 3V)4 consisting of three parts,each separated by a dash. "or e(ample9 &=H#1HH#$#1C#<=7C:.

a. +art #9 Current Address of the Voter#. The !rst two digits &= stand for the

province? and2. The last two digits, H#, stand for the city,

municipality, or a district, particularly in-anila.

The code assignment for provinces, cities andmunicipalities shall follow the 'rban Code devised bythe ational Census and Statistics 8ce 3CS84.

b. +art ))9 Current +recinct Assignment of the Voter#. The !rst four digits, HH#$, stand for the

permanent number of the precinct wherethe voter is currently assigned9 and

2. The letter indicates whether it is a mother ora daughter precinct.

The number assigned to the precinct in every city or

municipality shall be permanent but the voter may



transfer his precinct number. The V) reects thecurrent precinct assignment of the voter.

c. +art )))9 +ermanent 7irth and ame Code 'niue tothe Voter

#. The letter, C, stands for the month, i.e., Afor Ganuary, 7 for "ebruary, and so forth?

2. The ne(t two digits, #<, stand for the date of

birth?;. The ne(t two digits, =#, stand for the year of

birth? and<. The last three letters, 7C:, stand for the

name code, i.e., 7ayani Cru5 :avide. The last three letters shall stand for the !rst letter of the!rst name, the middle name, and the last name in thatorder.

The Commission shall ensure that +art ))) hereof of thevoterJs identi!cation number 3V)4 shall be permanent

and uniue to each voter. )f necessary, the Commissionmay e(pand and modify the same.

d. The combined birth and name code is assignedduring the lifetime of every voter. 'pon transfer of the voter to another precinct, the !rst two parts of the V) shall change.

Sec. 39. nn!$#ent at :oo o oters. 1 TheCommission shall, upon veri!ed petition of any voter orelection ocer or duly registered political party, and

after notice and hearing, annul any boo of voters thatis not prepared in accordance with the provisions of thisAct or was prepared through fraud, bribery, forgery,impersonation, intimidation, force or any similarirregularity, or which contains data that are statisticallyimprobable. o order, ruling or decision annulling aboo of voters shall be e(ecuted within ninety 3$H4 daysbefore an election.

Sec. 40. ;econstit!tion o <ost or estroed

;e*istration ;ecords. 1 The Commission shall

reconstitute all registration records which have beenlost or destroyed by using the corresponding copies of the provincial or national central !les. )n case of conictthe Commission shall determine which !le shall be usedfor reconstitution purposes. )f this is not feasible, theCommission shall conduct a general registration of voters in the a/ected area9 +rovided, That there is a

scheduled election before the ne(t scheduled generalregistration of voters in accordance with the 8mnibusElection Code. All such voters shall retain their voterJsidenti!cation number. >econstituted forms shall beclearly mared with the word Kreconstituted.K)t shall be the duty of the Election 8cer to immediatelyreport to the Commission any case of loss or destructionof registration record in his custody.

The reconstitution of any lost or destroyed registrationrecords shall not a/ect the criminal liability of any

person who is responsible for such loss or destruction.

Sec. 42. ;i*"t to Inor#ation. 1 The duly authori5edrepresentative of a registered political party or of abona!de candidate shall have the right to inspect andDorcopy at their e(pense the accountable registrationforms andDor the list of registered voters in the precinctsconstituting the constituency of the bona!de candidateor at which the political party is !elding candidates. Theinspection and copying shall be conducted during

business hours of the Commission and shall be subectto reasonable regulations.

Sec. 43. Co#)!teri=ation o Per#anent <ist o oters. 1 A permanent and computeri5ed list arrangedby precinct, city or municipality, province and regionshall be prepared by the Commission. Thereafter,another list shall be prepared consisting of the names of the voters, arranged alphabetically according tosurnames.



The computer print1outs of the list of voters dulycerti!ed by the 7oard are ocial documents and shallbe used for voting and other election related purposesas well as for legitimate research needs.

The total number of voters in the permanent list shall bethe basis for the printing of the ocial ballots by theCommission.

Sec. 44. ;eassi*n#ent o E$ection O&cers. 1 oElection 8cer shall hold oce in a particular city ormunicipality for more than four 3<4 years. Any electionocer who, either at the time of the approval of this Actor subseuent thereto, has served for at least four 3<4years in a particular city or municipality shallautomatically be reassigned by the Commission to anew station outside the original congressional district.

Sec. 49. ;!$es and ;e*!$ations. 1 The Commissionshall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations toimplement the provisions of this Act not later thanninety 3$H4 days before the !rst day of registration asprovided for in this Act.

"IOMETICS LA#

Section 9. ata(ase Security- L The databasegenerated by biometric registration shall be secured by

the Commission and shall not be used, under anycircumstance, for any purpose other than for electorale(ercises.

Section 10. Mandatory &iometrics #egistration- . TheCommission shall implement a mandatory biometricsregistration system for new voters.

Section 12. #ules and #egulations- L The Commissionshall, within si(ty 3BH4 days after the e/ectivity of this

Act, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.

S$NC%ONI&ED ELECTION LA#

Sec. 4. Post)one#ent+ %ai$!re o E$ection andS)ecia$ E$ections. 1 The postponement, declaration of failure of election and the calling of special elections asprovided in Sections =, B and & of the 8mnibus Election

Code shall be decided by the Commission sitting enbanc by a maority vote of its members. The causes forthe declaration of a failure of election may occur beforeor after the casting of votes or on the day of theelection.)n case a permanent vacancy shall occur in the Senateor 6ouse of >epresentatives at least one 3#4 year beforethe e(piration of the term, the Commission shall call andhold a special election to !ll the vacancy not earlier thansi(ty 3BH4 days nor longer than ninety 3$H4 days after

the occurrence of the vacancy. 6owever, in case of suchvacancy in the Senate, the special election shall be heldsimultaneously with the succeeding regular election.

Sec. 8. Precincts and t"eir Esta,$is"#ent. 1 Anyprovision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, whereit is not practicable to divide the precinct by territory,the Commission may adust or split the precinct byassigning the registered voters therein alphabeticallyand euitably among the adusted or split precincts9

+rovided, That, the polling places of said precincts shallbe in the same building or premises.

Sec. 9. ;e*istration o oters. 1 There shall be aregistration of voters on the !fteenth Saturday beforethe day of the election for voters who will reach the ageof eighteen 3#%4 years on or before the day of theelection or for those who are uali!ed but not registeredin the list of voters. 6owever, the Commission maydesignate an additional date of registration in certain

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areas to ensure that voters therein are not deprived of their right of su/rage.7efore adourning on registration day, the board of election inspectors shall close the list of voters bya(ing their signatures in the space immediately afterthe last name? number consecutively the names of thevoters listed therein and authenticate the list of voters

by a(ing their signatures on each and every pagethereof. The board of election inspectors shall post, on the walloutside the room where the registration was conducted,the list of voters in each precinct beginning on the !rstworing day after registration day until election day."ailure to post said list shall constitute an electiono/ense punishable under 2B; and 2B< of the 8mnibusElection Code.Fhen there is a signi!cant number of inclusions,

e(clusions and corrections in the list of voters in aprecinct, the Commission shall direct the board of election inspectors concerned to meet on the eighthSaturday immediately preceding the day of the electionfor the purpose of maing such inclusions andcorrections as may be or may have been ordered by thecourts, stating opposite every name so corrected, addedor cancelled, the date of the order and the court whichissued the same? otherwise, the board shall not meetbut such inclusions, e(clusions and corrections, if any,

shall be made in the list of voters before the votingstarts on election day.

Sec. 16. Pre>)roc$a#ation Cases Ino$in*Proincia$+ Cit and -!nici)a$ O&ces. 1 +re1proclamation cases involving provincial, city andmunicipal oces shall be allowed and shall be governedby Sections #&, #%, #$, 2H, 2# and 22 hereof.All pre1proclamation cases pending before theCommission shall be deemed terminated at the

beginning of the term of the oce involved and the

rulings of the boards of canvassers concerned shall bedeemed armed, without preudice to the !ling of aregular election protest by the aggrieved party.6owever, proceedings may continue when on the basisof the evidence thus far presented, the Commissiondetermined that the petition appears meritorious andaccordingly issues an order for the proceeding to

continue or when an appropriate order has been issuedby the Supreme Court in a petition for certiorari.

Sec. 23. O&cia$s :a$$ots. 1a. 7allots for national and local elections, regular or

special, plebiscites and referenda, shall be of uniform si5e and shall be prescribed by the

Commission. They shall be printed in blac in onwhich security paper with distinctive, clear andlegible watermars that will readily distinguish itfrom ordinary paper. Each ballot shall be in theshape of a strip with stub and detachable couponcontaining the serial number of the ballot, and aspace for the thumbmar of the voter on thedetachable coupon. )t shall bear at the top of thevoter on the detachable coupon. )t shall bear atthe top of the middle portion thereof the coat1of1

arms of the >epublic of the +hilippines, the wordK8cial 7allot,K the name of the city or themunicipality and province in which the election isto be held, the date of the election, and thefollowing notice in English9 K"ill out this ballotsecretly inside the voting booth. :o not put anydistinct mar on any part of this ballot.K

b. The ocial ballot shall also contain the names of all the ocer to be voted for in the election,allowing opposite the name of each oce,

sucient space of spaces with hori5ontal lines











where the voter may write the name or names of individual candidates voted for by him.

c. There shall not be anything printed or written onthe bac of the ballot e(cept as provided inSection 2< of this Act.

d. 8cial ballot for cities and municipalities whereArabic is of general use shall have each of the

titles of the oces to be voted for printed inArabic in addition to and immediately below theEnglish title.

e. otwithstanding the preceding provisions, theCommission is hereby authori5ed to prescribe adi/erent form of ocial ballot on the samewatermared security paper to facilitate voting byilliterate voter only and to use or adopt the latesttechnological and electronic devices in connectiontherewith as provided under Section =2 3i4 of

the 8mnibus Election Code.

Sec. 26. O&cia$ ?atc"ers. 1 Every registered politicalparty or coalition of political parties, and everycandidate shall each be entitled to one watcher in everypolling place and canvassing center9 +rovided, That,candidates for the Sangguniang +anlalawigan,Sangguniang +anlungsod, or Sangguniang 7ayanbelonging to the same slate or ticet shall collectivelybe entitled to only one watcher.

There shall also be recogni5ed si( 3B4 principal watchers,representing the si( 3B4 accredited maor politicalparties, who shall be designated by the Commissionupon nomination of the said parties. These politicalparties shall be determined by the Commission uponnotice and hearing on the basis of the followingcircumstances9

a. The established record of the said parties,coalition of groups that now composed them,taing into account, among other things, their

showing in past elections?

b. The number of incumbent elective ocialsbelonging to them ninety 3$H4 days before thedate of election?

c. Their identi!able political organi5ations andstrengths as evidenced by theirorgani5edDchapters?

d. The ability to !ll a complete slate of candidates

from the municipal level to the position of +resident? ande. 8ther analogous circumstances that may

determine their relative organi5ations andstrengths.

'AI ELECTION ACT

Sec. 3. <aw!$ E$ection Pro)a*anda. 1 Electionpropaganda whether on television, cable television,

radio, newspapers or any other medium is herebyallowed for all registered political parties, national,regional, sectoral parties or organi5ations participatingunder the party1list elections and for all bona !decandidates seeing national and local elective positionssubect to the limitation on authori5ed e(penses of candidates and political parties, observance of truth inadvertising and to the supervision and regulation by theCommission on Elections 3C8-EIEC4."or the purpose of this Act, lawful election propaganda

shall include9;.#

+amphlets, leaets, cards, decals, sticers orother written or printed materials the si5e of which does not e(ceed eight and one1half inchesin width and fourteen inches in length?

;.2

6andwritten or printed letters urging voters tovote for or against any particular political party orcandidate for public oce?

;. Cloth, paper or cardboard posters whether

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; framed, or posted, with an area not e(ceeding two324 feet by three 3;4 feet, e(cept that, at the siteand on the occasion of a public meeting or rally,or in announcing the holding of said meeting orrally, streamers not e(ceeding three 3;4 feet byeight 3%4 feet in si5e, shall be allowed9 +rovided,

That said streamers may be displayed !ve 3=4days before the date of the meeting or rally andshall be removed within twenty1four 32<4 hoursafter said meeting or rally?

;.<

+aid advertisements in print or broadcast media9+rovided, That the advertisements shall follow thereuirements set forth in Section < of this Act? and

;.=

All other forms of election propaganda notprohibited by the 8mnibus Election Code or this

Act.O''ICIAL SAMLE "ALLOT

Sec. 1 #endin* Sec. 185 o OEC !%cial Sample&allots-/ The Commission shall provide the board of election inspectors with ocial sample ballots at therate of thirty 3;H4 ballots per polling place. The ocialsample ballots shall be printed on colored paper, in allrespects lie the ocial ballots but bearing instead thewords M8cial Sample 7allot@ to be shown to the public

and used in demonstrating how to !ll out and fold theocial ballots properly. o name of any actualcandidate shall be written on the spaces for voting onthe ocial sample ballots provided by the Commission,nor shall they be used for voting.NAt least thirty 3;H4 days before an election, it shall bethe duty of the Commission on Elections to furnish everyregistered voter through registered mail with returncard, personal service with corresponding receipt to besigned by the voter or any person who nows the voter,

or any other practicable means with an un!lled ocial

sample ballot, voter information sheet, and a list of allregistered national, provincial and city candidates to bevoted in the said election. The information sheet shallinclude the voter@s name, address, the precinct and theplace where he is registered, and simpli!ed instructionsas to the casting of votes. The names of the candidatesshall be listed in alphabetical order under their

respective party aliation and a one1line statement notto e(ceed three 3;4 words of their occupation orprofession9 Provided, 0o$ever , That in the printing of the names of the candidates for national oces, thealphabetical order shall be democrati5ed so that thelisted names shall be made in three 3;4 columns9 the!rst column shall commence with the letter A and endwith the letter O? the second column shall commencewith the letters M)1O@ and thereafterPMA16@ and the thirdcolumn shall commence with the letters MQ1O@ and

thereafter MA1+@. These information may be contained ina single sheet or boolet form, and the number andlocation of the voters@ polling place shall be prominentlyindicated therein. +ersons nominated under the party1list system liewise be included in the abovementionedlist.R

!ecincts o! e!sons wit* Disabilities and Senio! Citi+ens

SEC. 4. uty of the "ommission to #ender Assistanceto Persons $ith isa(ilities and Senior "iti1ens- L )t shallbe the duty of the Commission to render appropriateassistance to persons with disabilities and seniorciti5ens in coordination with government agencies andcivil society organi5ations.

SEC. 5. #ecord of Persons $ith isa(ilities and Senior "iti1ens- . The Commission shall eep an updatedrecord of persons with disabilities and senior citi5ens

who are registered as voters, which indicates the types





of disability and the assistance they need, to assist it indetermining policy directions for more inclusive andaccessible electoral processes. The record shall bemade accessible to concerned government oces,accredited citi5ens@ arms, civil society monitoringgroups and other organi5ations which promote therights of the persons with disabilities and senior citi5ens,

subect to speci!c guidelines the Commission maypromulgate to protect the privacy of the individualsconcerned.

SEC. 6. #egistration and Updating of #ecords- L )ndesigning the forms, the Commission must ensure thatpersons with disabilities and senior citi5ens applying forregistration, reactivation, transfer, or correction of entryindicate the type3s4 of disability, as well as the form3s4of assistance needed.

+ersons with disabilities and senior citi5ens who havepreviously registered but have not indicated the type of disability, or who may have developed or manifestedsuch disability after having been registered, shall beallowed, during the periods to !le applications forregistration, to update their registration records, and toindicate the type of disability as well as the form of

assistance they need during election day. TheCommission may design registration forms speci!callyfor persons with disabilities and senior citi5ens, or issuesupplemental forms for the said purpose, and providefor procedures to be followed by those who need toupdate their registration records.

Documents

Agra Election Statutes Compiled