TARLAC CITY (PIA) — Commission on Elections (COMELEC) intensified its “Kontra Bigay” campaign in Central Luzon to prevent vote-buying and vote-selling, and to ensure a safe and fair Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023.
The Committee on Kontra Bigay in the region imposes stringent measures to address issues on selling and buying of votes.
COMELEC Mabalacat City Election Officer Joie Macam said the committee will do everything in its power to fight this cancer of democracy, and to punish those involved in these prohibited acts.
“This whole-of-nation approach is not limited during the BSKE 2023 as it will be activated in the succeeding elections to stop these illegal schemes,” he emphasized.
Macam explained that giving money, food, position, or anything of value in exchange for a vote is prohibited, and is considered as vote buying.
Aside from the aspirants, the supporters, friends and family members proven to be engaged in vote buying or selling will be penalized by the law.
“Vote buying is regarded as an election offense which may, once proven, be sentenced to imprisonment not less than a year and not more than six years. Punishment also includes perpetual disqualification to hold public office whether elective or appointed,” he stressed.
Macam noted that under the Omnibus Election Code, the prescriptive period for an election offense is five years from the date of commission.
Reports on incidents of vote buying or selling may be filed before the COMELEC Law Department, and State, Provincial or City Prosecutors, along with other evidence such as affidavits of giving and receiving.
Meanwhile, he urged registered voters to participate in the electoral process, assess the qualifications and character of aspiring candidates, and to choose their respective village leaders wisely.
Central Luzon has a total of 7,553,896 regular voters and 2,458,142 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters for the upcoming election on October 30.
Bulacan has the most number of regular voters with 2,092,146 followed by Pampanga with 1,646,681 voters, and Nueva Ecija with 1,589,429 voters.
Tarlac has 930,647 regular voters, Bataan has 582,733 voters, Zambales has 552,971 voters, and Aurora has 159,277 voters.
In terms of SK voters, Bulacan has the highest number of voters 659,031, followed by Pampanga and Nueva Ecija with 531,295 and 528,275 voters, respectively.
Meanwhile, Tarlac has 302,657 SK voters, Bataan has 195,994 voters, Zambales has 182,070 voters, and Aurora has 58,768.
COMELEC likewise reported that there are 25,723 Persons with Disability; 28,273 Indigenous Peoples; 1,233,207 Senior Citizens; 4,905 Senior Citizens with Disability; and 3,551 Persons Deprived of Liberty who are registered for BSKE 2023.
Moreover, approximately 5,746 security personnel, excluding Quick Response Teams, will be deployed in the entire region to secure 2,873 voting centers. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)
