Comelec sets up hotlines for poll violations

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set up hotlines that will receive poll complaints from the public, with less than 24 hours to go before the start of the campaign period for the May 10 national and local elections. Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez on Monday said they would set up more hotlines as the campaign period progresses, even as reports of violations have started trickling in. "For now, those with complaints can call 5259294 and 5259301. We will add more hotlines as the days go by," Jimenez told dzBB radio in Filipino. Jimenez said the campaign period does not start until 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. He said the Comelec would coordinate with the Philippine National Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in removing "premature" and old posters. In a separate interview, Comelec chief Jose Melo cited reports that some candidates' supporters had started placing posters along parts of Rizal Avenue in Manila. A report on dwIZ radio said the supporters had been caught while trying to place posters, but did not name the candidate. "Pasting posters on walls is prohibited. It not only violates our election laws, but also litters the city and makes it ugly," Melo told dwIZ radio in Filipino. But as early as last weekend, the posters of a senator running for President and his running mate were already plastered in parts of Manila and Quezon City. The posters were placed near España Avenue in Manila's Sampaloc district, and on a wall across Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City. Poster size Jimenez reminded candidates not to exceed the size of posters allowed by the Comelec, adding that such materials may be placed only in common poster areas. The only areas where posters and streamers bigger than the allowed size may be placed are in the candidates' headquarters. "Since it will be hard for the ordinary voter to measure the poster, the rule of thumb is that if the poster is the size of a full cartolina, that is likely a violation already)," he said. Violations are punishable by one to six years in jail, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office. GMANews.TV