Poll officers reminded to remove posters that violate regulations

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official on Thursday reminded its election officers (EO) to remove all election propaganda which violate regulations, if they do not wish to be reprimanded. "This is a reminder to all our EO and field personnel that they have to ensure that the campaign posters and materials are put only in the designated common poster areas or in the private residences," said Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal. Resolution 8758, requires the creation of task force that would tear down and remove "unlawful" election materials. The task force would be composed of the election officer as the chairman, the station commander of the Philippine National Police as vice chairman, and a third member from any agency deputized by the poll body, in this case the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority. The same resolution requires candidates to put up their advertisements on common poster areas like plazas, markets, and barangay centers. Party-list groups and political parties are only allowed to construct 12 x 16 feet poster areas while independent candidates may only erect 4 x 6 feet poster areas or its equivalent. A list of common poster areas is available at local Comelec offices, Larrazabal said. The commissioner added that even if the campaign materials are placed in private residences, the paraphernalia are still required to comply with rules regarding poster sizes. "[The EOs] have to inform the candidates that these election paraphernalia have to be taken down," he said, adding that they should be prepared to face the consequences if they fail. But he noted that the Comelec has yet to determine penalties for such oversights. "We'll look into it, I don't want to preempt the en banc," he said. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told GMANews.TV that the poll body Education and Information Department has already informed the EOs and the regional directors of the areas which have the most illegal campaign materials, like Caloocan, Quezon City, Marikina, and Bulacan. However, he emphasized that the EOs are currently undergoing training for the performance of their duties in the May automated polls. "So yung na-clear na nila, nire-replace naman (Whatever they cleared have already been replaced), especially in an effort to beat theMarch 26 start of local campaigning," he said. Violation of Resolution 8758 may constitute an election offense, which is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office. - GMANews.TV