PNP preparing list of absentee voters

CEBU, Philippines -   The Philippine National Police is preparing the list of those who will avail of the absentee voting this coming April 24, 25, and 26 this year.

 Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez said this will be the chance for them to exercise their right to vote without having to leave their respective areas of responsibility during the elections on May 10.

The police are tasked to maintain peace and order during the elections but considering that many of them are assigned away from their place of residence the Commission on Election set the absentee voting for them and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Nerez said that based on Comelec Resolution No. 8754, police commanders will be submitting list of personnel who want to avail of the absentee voting.

But he clarified that those availing of absentee voting can only vote for those running for the national positions like president, vice-president and the senators.

Nerez said that they will still come up with a schedule and implementing plans on how to go about the absentee voting.

Comelec regional director Ray Rene Buac said that the Board of Election Inspectors during the absentee voting of the PNP and AFP will be their respective commanders together with an election officer.

It said that it will depend on the commander where he wants the voting to take place.

Buac clarified that votes cast by absentee voters will not be counted in advance but also on May 10.

When asked if media can also avail of this, Buac replied: “Naa balaud ug resolution nga ang government officials and employees are required by the law to perform election duties while in the media you have the choice to cover or not. Kami sa government, we cannot say no.” —Gabriel C. Bonjoc/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)