Poll officer explains prohibited acts during campain period

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -  The provincial election officer yesterday reminded the local candidates about the prohibited forms of election propaganda. 

Atty. Lydia Pangilinan said that any candidate who would violate any of the prohibited act under the prevailing Commission of Elections (Comelec) resolutions, rules and regulations governing the conduct of 2013 midterm elections will be dealt with in accordance with law. 

She expalained that election campain or propaganda materials including the names, images, logos, and initials of the candidates of parties must not appear on  patrols cars, ambulances, and government vehicles particularly tohse bearing red license plates.

The same rule applies on waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signage and other signboards erected on public property.

"Bawal din pong maglagay ng election propaganda sa mga puno, schools, barangay halls, shrines, pedestrian ovespasses and underpasses, flyovers, bridges, islands of roads and highways," Pangilinan added. 

The display of campaign materials on public utility vehicles, publics transport terminals is also probihited under the existing Comelec rules and regulations. 

Among other prohibited acts were TV programs, documentaries, film or theater production portraying the life and biography of a candidate. 

This also includes election materials posted in electronic announcement boads such as LED display boards located along highways, streets and walls of public building. 

The provincial election officer meanwhile stressed any violation of these rules would constitute an election offense and punishable under the Sec. 264 of the Omnibus Election Code. 

The imposable penalties are  imprisonment of one to six years, disqualification to hold public office and for political parties a fine of not less than P10,000.