CCHOPE ELECTION 2001

1. Right to stay in the space reserved for them inside the polling place;

2. Right to witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the board of election inspectors, including:

a. its proceedings during the registration of voters;

b. to take notes of what they may see or hear;

c. to take photographs of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the counting of votes, as well as of election returns, tally boards and ballot boxes;

d. to file a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which they believe may have been committed by the board of election inspectors or by any of its members or by any persons;

e. to obtain from the board of election inspectors a certificate as to the filing of such protest and/or of the resolution thereon;

f. to read the ballots after they shall have been read by the chairman, as well as the election returns after they shall have been completed and signed by the members of the board of election inspectors without touching them and without speaking to any member of the board of election inspectors, or to any voter, or among themselves, in such a manner as would distract the proceedings;

g. to be furnished with a certificate of the number of votes in words and figures cast for each candidate, duly signed and thumbmarked by the chairman and all the members of the board of election inspectors, the refusal of which shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized accordingly (Sec. 179, B.P. Blg. 881, as amended);

3. Challenge any person offering to vote for not being registered, for using the name of another or suffering from existing disqualification (Sec. 199 (a), B.P. Blg. 881, as amended); and

4. Be permitted full and unimpeded access to the proceedings so that they can read the names of those written on the ballots being counted with unaided natural vision, consistent with good order in the polling place (Sec. 12, R.A. No. 6646).

Watchers of the political parties, coalition of political parties and the candidates have the right to accompany the members of the board of election inspectors or the election registrar in making the delivery of ballot boxes and other election documents and paraphernalia to the boards of canvassers (Sec. 229, B.P. Blg. 881, as amended).

"Each candidate, political party or coalition of political parties shall be entitled to appoint one watcher in the board of canvassers. The watcher shall have the right to be present at, and take note of, all the proceedings of the board of canvassers, to read the election returns without touching them, to file a protest against any irregularity in the election returns submitted, and to obtain from the board of canvassers a resolution thereon" (Sec. 239, B.P. Blg. 881, as amended).

For any inquiries or comment, you may contact the WEBMASTER
Last Updated: Friday, April 13, 2001 05:25:08 PM