MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said they are committed to hold a credible May 2016 national and local elections.
“Ang aming mantra ay credible elections. Sinasabi namin na bumoto ng tama, at bumilang ng tama. Ang tungkulin ng bawat botante ay bumoto ng tama, ang responsibilad ng Comelec ay bumilang ng tama,” said Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said.
Bautista assured the public after Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay said he fears that there will be election fraud in the 2016 polls.
According to Binay, his biggest worry in the next year’s elections is the possibility of cheating involving the Comelec’s vote counting machines.
Binay also said he is worried that the government funds will be used in the campaigns of administration backed-candidates.
The vice president called on the poll body agency to strictly enforce its campaign finance guidelines to regulate expenditures of candidates and prevent overspending in campaign activities.
Bautista clarified that they will ensure a clean electoral process and campaign. However, he said Comelec has no power to stop the “premature campaigning” activities of candidates.
“There is no offense such as premature campaigning kasi it can only happen during the campaign period. So, by and large, from now until Feb. 8, 2016, the Comelec is powerless to regulate campaign expenditures,” Bautista said.
The campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senators, and party-list groups is slated Feb. 9 to May 7, 2016 while campaign period for local candidates such as district representatives, regional, provincial, city and municipal officials will start March 25 until May 7 next year.
The Comelec also wants to ensure an orderly and peaceful filing of the certificates of candidacy in October.
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