Tuesday, February 19, 2013

COMELEC CLARIFIES CPA RULE

The Commission on Elections today reminded candidates of a provision on COMELEC Resolution No. 9615 which laid down the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9006 of the Fair Elections Act that “Parties and independent candidates may, upon authority of the Commission, through the City or Municipal Election Officer (EO) concerned, erect, AT THEIR EXPENSE, common poster areas wherein they can post, display, or exhibit their election propaganda to announce or further their candidacy.”

Poll body Spokesman James Jimenez referred to Section 18 of COMELEC Resolution No. 9615 which stated that, “common poster areas shall be allowed by the Election Officer only in selected public places such as plazas, markets, barangay centers and the like where posters may be readily seen or read, with the heaviest pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic in the City or Municipality.”
“The COMELEC Resolution is very clear. Candidates may be allowed to put up their posters in designated Common Poster Areas (CPAs), but at their own expense. Sila ang gagastos para sa istruktura para makabit nila ang kanilang mga poster,” said Jimenez.
“We cannot just allow candidates to post their campaign materials on electric posts, trees and other public structures. That is why we are allowing them to set up temporary structures in designated Common Poster Areas for the exclusive purpose of displaying their campaign materials,” he added.
According to COMELEC Resolution No. 9615, parties and candidates may put up Common Poster Areas in every Barangay. “One (1) Common Poster Area is allowed in a Barangay with 5,000 registered voters or less. An additional CPA will be allowed for every increment of 5,000 voters,” said Jimenez.
Meanwhile, CPAs for political parties and partylist groups should not exceed the following dimensions, twelve (12) by sixteen (16) feet, or its equivalent but not exceeding a total area of 192 square feet.
For independent candidates, four (4) by six (6) feet or its equivalent but not exceeding a total area of twenty four (24) square feet.
COMELEC to go after erring Election Officers too
Jimenez, meanwhile, made assurances that the poll body will also call the attention of COMELEC Field Officials who fail to inform candidates and voters as to the location of designated Common Poster Areas.

“While the list of CPAs are posted outside local COMELEC Offices, Election Officers should also make an effort to ensure that the designated CPAs are known to the candidates and the public. Failure to do so shall make him liable for gross neglect of duty,” he said. 

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VOTERS' PLEDGE

I am a Responsible and Principled Citizen.

I will educate myself and others about the issues at hand so that my vote is a meaningful and relevant exercise of my right of suffrage.

I pledge to vote for candidates who will abide by the duly constituted rules on campaigning because I understand that those who refuse to obey the law in the little things are not likely to obey the law in the more important things;

I pledge to vote for candidates who, by word and action, renounce violence, coercion, vote-buying, and corruption as means for getting elected;

I pledge to vote for the candidates who listen to their constituents and are responsive to the needs and aspirations of those they seek to represent;

I pledge to vote as my conscience dictates in all elections.

I make these promises freely and upon my honor.

(This Voter Pledge was read at the Unity Walk of 13 January 2013, by COMELEC Commissioner Elias R. Yusoph)

SOURCE: NAMFREL