The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) urges everyone to join them in their shame campaign over candidates via the social media who are into “epal moves†or are simply disregarding election campaign rules and propaganda.
This as the official campaign period for the national elective officials started February 9.
Using hashtag #SumbongKo, @Comelec, netizens can take a picture of the violation and indicate the location, while attaching the picture of the violation upon uploading to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
What then needs to be reported and shamed?
Posters and election materials over 2 feet by 3 feet, posters of any size that is posted on non-designated common poster areas, or when posted on private properties without permission from the owners are fair game.
Also up for shame reporting are posters of whatever sizes which are nailed, pasted, taped or affixed on trees and on public transportation especially those controlled by the government.
The Comelec has also banned posting of election campaign materials on lamp-posts, power lines, schools, waiting sheds, sidewalks, traffic signs, bridges, barangay halls, public health centers and public buildings, public shrines, terminals, airports, seaports, public utility vehicles, patrol cars, train stations, trains, on overpasses and underpasses as well as on center islands.
Moreover, reports can also be done on promotions that offer rewards in cash or kind in exchange for support and voting of a candidate and a party, vote buying activities and anything that goes against local laws on littering, environmental protection and internet-posting, according to the Comelec.
At this, Comelec warned concerned candidates to take down illegally-placed campaign materials in three days or they expect notices and citation of materials from them.
“We will submit them to the Law Department for evaluations, whether or not they can be cited for violations of the Omnibus Election Code, whether or not they are electoral offenses, in other words,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
“What is important is that the materials are documented and once they are documented, then, we can take them down as a form of abasement, as well,” Jimenez added.
Campaign violations constitute an election offense, which carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from holding public office, according to the Omnibus Election Code. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)