Petty election complaints may be considered poll offense

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to declare frivolous complaints an election offense to prevent confusion and possible disruption of the election process.

“One of the things that we placed in the draft supplement General Instructions is that making a frivolous objection shall be an election offense. So, there are two election offenses: if you bring the receipts out of the polling precinct and if you file a frivolous objection,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said.

He pointed out that the measure is intended to prevent people from making baseless complaints only to cast doubt on the credibility of the elections.

The Omnibus Election Code, he added, prohibits anyone from causing confusion over the voting processes. It also prohibits people from disrupting or obstructing the election process by spreading false and alarming reports on matters relating to the general conduct of the election.

Those who will be found guilty of committing an election offense may be imprisoned for one to six years, stripped of the right to vote and disqualified from holding public office.

Meanwhile, the Comelec Bids and Awards Committee declared Forms International Enterprises Corp. as having the Lowest Calculated Bid (LCB) for the 1.1 million thermal paper rolls to be used for voter receipts.

The Quezon City-based company tendered a bid offer of P49.5 million for the project with an approved budget for the contract of P85.8 million.

Comelec-BAC vice chairman Rey Doma said Forms International would now go through post qualification assessment.

If the company passes and is issued a Notice to Proceed, it would be required to deliver all 1.1 million thermal paper rolls by April 29.

Forms International outbid the only other bidder, Smartmatic-Total Information Management Corp, which tendered a price offer of P83.6 million.