Elections Commission (Comelec) urges teachers: Exert influence over election authority
Rewritten Article:
The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas, Philippines (Comelec 7) is urging public school teachers to step up and take charge during the midterm elections on May 12, 2025. These teaching pros will be serving as electoral board members, helping oversee the voting and counting processes.
In a chat with Cebu, Comelec 7 Director Francisco Pobe emphasized that educators should keep focused on their duties to ensure a fair and orderly election. This means saying no to pressure from political watchers stationed at polling sites. It's important to remember that teachers possess the legal authority to maintain order within the precinct.
Pobe made it clear that if a poll watcher is causing trouble, teachers have the power to remove them from the premises.
With more than 12,000 electoral board members set to perform their civic duties in Central Visayas, it's essential that poll watchers understand their role and the boundaries of their authority. They are there to safeguard the election process, not to serve as the supreme authority in the polling place.
Candidates should also remember to leave the polling area once they've voted. Last-minute campaigning within polling precincts is a big no-no according to election law.
Poll watchers, appointed by candidates and political parties, play a significant role in helping maintain the integrity of the elections. However, they are strictly forbidden from interacting with voters or interfering with electoral procedures.
Each candidate may appoint only two poll watchers per precinct, but only one from a party can be present at a time. All candidates must submit a list of their watchers and their assigned precincts before Election Day.
To maintain peace and order, police personnel will be positioned strategically, keeping at least 30 meters away from polling stations to avoid intimidating voters. Over 5,000 precincts across Central Visayas will be ready for voting, with more than four million registered voters.
Poll watchers must familiarize themselves with the dos and don'ts of their role:
- Dos: Observe proceedings carefully and report any irregularities or violations of election protocol.
- Don'ts: Do not approach voters while they are casting their ballots, discuss voter preferences, give voting instructions, interfere with the duties of electoral board members, or bring cameras into the precinct.
Any poll watcher who acts out of bounds may face disciplinary action, as Comelec 7 prioritizes a peaceful, honest, and orderly vote. And fear not, electoral board members will receive support from Department of Education supervisors and staff on Election Day.
The past elections in Central Visayas have seen a harmonious relationship between teachers and poll watchers, ensuring a smooth voting process. However, Mandaue City remains on high alert, as it has been recommended for a yellow category due to escalating political tensions. Other areas at risk include certain towns and municipalities in Cebu and Bohol.
The yellow category signifies potential threats, tensions, or rivalries in the locality. While it doesn't necessarily mean imminent violence, it calls for increased security monitoring and preparedness to prevent any election-related disturbances.
[1] COMELEC Resolution No. 11061 (2024) - Guidelines on the Accreditation, Training, Posting, Conduct, and Reports of Poll Watchers for the May 12, 2025, National and Local Elections[2] COMELEC Resolution No. 11049 (2024) - Rules and Regulations Governing the Election of Independent Candidates for Senator and Member of the House of Representatives for the May 12, 2025, National and Local Elections[5] Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 2024-05 (2024) - Prohibited Political Activities for Government Employees During the Electronic Campaign Period
poll watchers role, responsibilities, rights, election law, midterm elections, comelec, electoral board members, voting process, political watchers, civic duty, voting integrity, central visayas, mandaue city, yellow category, election disturbances, political tensions, election day, ballots, automated counting machines, political candidates, national election laws, cooperate, conduct elections, impartiality, civil service commission, social media, rules, voting environment.
- The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas, Philippines (Comelec 7) is encouraging public school teachers to take on their civic duty as electoral board members during the upcoming midterm elections.
- Teachers should remember their duty to maintain a fair and orderly election, which includes not succumbing to pressure from political watchers stationed at polling sites.
- If a poll watcher is causing trouble, teachers have the legal authority to remove them from the premises.
- With more than 12,000 electoral board members serving in Central Visayas, it's crucial that poll watchers understand their role and the boundaries of their authority.
- Poll watchers are there to safeguard the election process, not to serve as the supreme authority in the polling place.
- Each candidate is allowed to appoint only two poll watchers per precinct, but only one from a party can be present at a time.
- The upcoming midterm elections are significant for the environment of education and self-development, as well as career development and politics, making general news.
