Allegations of suspicious voting practices spotted during polls, including tent names and poster displays, raised some concerns.
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During the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) process for automated counting machines ahead of the 2025 National and Local Elections, the Archdiocesan Commission on Elections Monitoring-Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (ACE-COM PPCRV) highlighted some concerns.
Atty. Aileen Lizada, an ACE-COM PPCRV spokesperson, pointed out several issues, including tents and posters displaying candidates' names near polling stations. She acknowledged that these matters had been previously reported to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), with some names on the tents being covered, and candidates' posters near schools either being removed or folded.
One notable instance was discovered at Rafael Castillo Covered Court, cluster number 704, in Barangay R. Castillo, District 2, where a tent with a candidate's name was found. The names were eventually covered with white plaster.
Lizada reiterated that tents displaying candidate names could potentially breach election regulations, especially if they aren't promptly removed. She noted that guidance would be given to remove them, as leaving them up could lead to covering them up, which violates election rules.
In a previous FTS, conducted at Davao City National High School, ACE-COM PPCRV voiced concerns regarding glitches in some automated counting machines (ACMs). Nevertheless, the group stated that most of the machines were functioning correctly.
Lizada urged voters to mark their ballots accurately, ensuring their votes are correctly tabulated by the ACMs.
Comelec-Davao Assistant Regional Director Gay Enumerables clarified that the glitches observed were due to improper shading. She underscored the importance of correct shading, as it ensures votes are properly read by the machines.
Campaigning is generally prohibited during the silence period commencing May 11, 2025, nationwide, leading up to the May 12 polls, according to the Commission on Elections. This ban applies to activities such as public canvassing, distribution of campaign materials, and giving out any form of incentives to voters[3]. During election periods, the display or distribution of campaign materials near polling stations is typically forbidden, adhering to the broader goal of maintaining a fair and orderly electoral environment[4].
Additionally, there are restrictions on activities such as liquor sales and the bearing of firearms near polling areas to uphold peace and order[4]. Although specific rules for campaign materials during the FTS process might not be fully detailed, they would likely emphasize maintaining fairness and order, ensuring that no campaign materials are placed near polling stations during critical phases of the election process. RGP
[3] https://www.gmanews.net/elections/2022/07/21/comelec-announces-election-ban-on-political-campaigns-dismissal-of-poll-workers-and-heightened-security-measures-ahead-of-2022-barangay-elections/
[4] https://www.rappler.com/nation/election-2022/629463-election-ban-political-campaigns-comelec-rules#:~:text=Comelec%20implemented%20a%20liquor%20ban,firearms%20near%20polling%20areas.
- In the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections, concerns about election regulations were raised by the Archdiocesan Commission on Elections Monitoring-Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (ACE-COM PPCRV) in Davao, particularly regarding the display of tents and posters with candidates' names near polling stations.
- During the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) process for the automated counting machines ahead of the 2025 elections, instances of glitches were noted in some machines by ACE-COM PPCRV during an exercise at Davao City National High School.
