Public domain image- The Commission on Elections have disclosed that there were more reported ballot selfies than discrepancies
- The Comelec revealed that there were nine reports on ballot selfies
- Only two reports of discrepancies were made
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disclosed that there were more reports on ballot selfies than on discrepancies during the overseas voting.
In an article written by Rose-an Jessica Dioquino of GMA News, it was disclosed that only two reports were made on the discrepancies during the election.
According to the Office on Overseas Voting (OFOV), Commisioner Arthur Lim said that the incidents were recorded in Dubai and in Seoul, South Korea, where the voter complained that he did not vote for the candidate seen on the receipt.
“There are only two incidents. Out of these figures, about 200,000 (who have cast their ballots), dalawa lang ang nakapagsabi [only two have reported],” he said.
Meanwhile, Lim said they have received more reports about people taking selfies or photos of their ballots inside the polling places. The Comelec-OFOV said they have received nine reports from the various posts on the matter: from Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Brunei, Laos, and Madrid.
“It is important to emphasize to each and every one to take the elections seriously.… Bawal na bawal retratuhan ang iyong balota dahil makikita ang iyong boto [It is prohibited to take photos of the ballot as the vote will be seen],” said Lim. “Bawal na bawal po ang mag-selfie [Taking selfies is strictly prohibited].”
Taking a photo of one’s ballot falls under prohibitions in Sec. 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, which bans any person from violating “the integrity of any official ballot of election returns before or after they are used in the election,” OFOV Dir. Jane Valeza said.
As of Thursday morning, 200,262 Filipinos have voted overseas; surpassing total voting turnouts in 2010 where only 153,323 voted, and in 2013, where 118,823 cast their ballots. Voting abroad also closes at 5 p.m. May 9, Manila time.
Post a Comment