Comelec: Foreign observers not allowed in poll precincts

Foreign observers are not allowed to enter polling precincts on election day, according to the Commission on Elections.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

Comelec Chairman George Garcia yesterday said the poll body rejected the request of foreign observers from the European Union to enter polling precincts for this constitutes a violation of Philippine law.

"We have to insist on the observance of the law. We didn't give a full blanket authority," Garcia said, adding that even if the Comelec issues a resolution, it would still be considered null and void.

Garcia stressed that the authority granted by the Comelec for EU to observe the election is still subject to limitation provided by law.

The poll body, he said, is willing to accept the possible consequences of disallowing the observers from entering polling precincts because they have to implement the law.

For the first time, the EU sent around 300 delegates to observe the country's upcoming elections. They will stay in the country until June.

The EU Election Observation Mission previously sent to the Comelec a letter requesting the poll body to instruct the electoral board to permit their observers to enter polling precincts on election day. The observers insisted that having access to polling precincts on election day is a crucial part of their work.

Garcia said he raised the matter to the members of the commission, which decided to uphold the existing laws of the country.

"This means that only members of the Electoral Board, accredited watchers from the citizens' arms and political parties, the Commission's representatives and voters are allowed inside the precincts," Garcia said.

Garcia clarified that observers of EU or any other duly accredited election observer mission can still visit the voting centers and witness the voting procedures through windows outside the classroom serving as polling precincts.