• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has encouraged complainants of vote-buying to substantiate their claims by executing affidavits.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said there have been numerous complaints on reported vote- buying during the just concluded synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which they received through electronic (e)-mail or through the social media account of Comelec.
Ananoria noted that those sent through e-mail were pictures of alleged vote- buying without any context.
Sample ballots accompanied with cash were intercepted in San Enrique as reported by the police, while the Comelec is investigating an alleged vote-buying incident in La Carlota City, where a local official was accused of being involved.
If there is evidence, even if the election has already been concluded, charges can still be filed against violators, Ananoria said.
“Let’s file a case to stop vote-buying,” he added.
Ananoria also said that all tied votes should be resolved not later than Nov. 3 upon the instruction of the Comelec central office.
The Comelec recorded a total of 137 tied votes in Negros Occidental.
Only the proclamation of the candidate for councilor in Barangay Tabigue, E.B. Magalona has been suspended, pending the resolution of the complaint for premature campaigning.
Ananoria reminded all candidates, who either won or lost in the recent polls, to submit their statement of contributions and expenditures before the deadline on Nov. 29. | GB
