Time to scrap alcohol ban on election day

By Al S. Mendoza

INSTEAD of Comelec producing rules on:

1)  The size of posters and tarpaulins for use by candidates;
2)  The amount of money to be spent by candidates; and,
3)  The removal of posters and tarpaulins “illegally” pasted/nailed/hung by candidates.

It must scrap all of the above and persevere in doing the following instead:

1)  Ensure the voter’s hitch-free trip to the precinct on election day;
2)  Make Comelec personnel visible on election day; and,
3)  Stop spending Comelec money aka people’s money in dismantling posters and tarpaulins nailed/hung/pasted on electric posts and other public properties.

Time to stop imposing sizes for posters and tarpaulins because that’s directly infringing on a candidate’s inherent right to freedom of choice.

Besides, what’s with size in the election process?

How can it cause trouble to voters on election day?

Can size disrupt election?

If a candidate wants his tarpaulin to measure 12 feet by one kilometer, why stop him?

If he wants to distribute posters bigger than a movie screen, why meddle?

Expensive?

So what?

As I said, it’s his money, anyway.

The same goes true with a candidate’s spending.

Why limit his budget at all?

Because the poor cannot match the rich’s spending power?

By looking after the poor’s welfare, isn’t the Comelec being pro-poor and, in effect, biased against the rich?

I thought the Comelec was neutral all the way?

I have said this before but I will say it again if only to drive home the point—again.

Election can only be for the rich that is why all winners come only mostly from the filthy rich.

It’d be a miracle, as always, if a poor candidate ends up beating his wealthy foe.

A major upset if that happens, as in David slaying Goliath all over again.

And this Comelec practice of hiring people, presumably carpenters, to dismantle posters placed on non-designated areas handpicked by Comelec.

Such stupid Comelec activity that must be stopped.  Now.

Crazy, to say the least.

In fact, that’s people’s money being wasted as every penny spent by Comelec is people’s money.

Election has its redeeming value as our teachers working on election day are true heroes of the day.

But their precinct partners from Comelec also deserve commendation.

What Comelec must improve on is the manner of easing up human traffic on election day.

Queues must be eradicated, if not minimized, as there is so much time wasted on the long lines leading to precincts.

But there’s one more Comelec rule that irks me no end: The alcohol ban a day before election day, on election day and the day after election.

That’s easily three days of going dry. 

Unfair to happy-loving dudes like Jake P. Ayson and me.

Isn’t an election season an occasion for celebration?

In America and elsewhere in the world, no such thing as an alcohol ban on election day.

Grow up, Comelec.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments