Comelec starts accreditation process for political parties

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has opened its doors for the accreditation of political parties participating in the May 2016 elections.

In a resolution, the Comelec declared readiness to accept petitions from groups wanting to be the accredited dominant majority and dominant minority parties.

At least 10 national political parties and two major local parties are expected to file their petitions for accreditation before the Comelec.

“A political party duly registered with the commission may file a verified petition for accreditation,” the Comelec said.

The poll body has set the guidelines on how to determine the political parties to be accredited as dominant majority and dominant minority.

The Comelec said the petition must be filed not later than Nov. 9 at the clerk of the commission. A filing and legal research fee of P10,100 must be paid.

According to the Comelec, the criteria to be used shall be based on the established record of the parties, coalition or groups that now compose them.

“Their showing in past elections and the number of incumbent elective officials belonging on the last day of the filing of candidacy shall also be taken into consideration,” the Comelec said.

It added that identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized chapters, the ability to field a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of the president, and other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths, are also part of the criteria.

The groups to be designated as dominant majority party and dominant minority party shall be entitled to get copies of election returns (ERs) to be produced by the voting machines, receive electronically transmitted precinct results, get the copies of the certificates of canvass (COCs) and assign official watchers in every polling place and canvassing center.