COMELEC: Medical aid programs exempted from election ban
FINAL GUIDELINES STILL PENDING
PROVINCIAL Election Supervisor Ericson Oganiza told the provincial board that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is ready for the campaign period and the May 12 elections.
Oganiza, speaking during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Question Hour on February 12 said, the training of election personnel started on February 10 while the training of electoral boards or poll workers in the operations of the automated counting machines are ongoing.
Meanwhile, he clarified that distribution of aid is completely prohibited 10 days before election day but pointed out that distribution involving medical assistance is exempted.
He stressed that the distribution of financial assistance is still subject to an implementing guideline to be issued by the respective agencies who are implementing these, “which also needs the approval of the Commission on Elections.”
Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, echoed clarification that the Comelec en banc ruled that releases of ayudas, particularly ACAP, AICS, and TUPAD are prohibited 10 days prior to the election, subject to certain exemptions.
He added that there are some projects and programs that the province already submitted to the COMELEC that have already been released, but said it is for the Provincial Legal Office and the Office of the Governor to decide on the proper disposition of information of those exemptions.
From February 17 to 22, automated counting machine technicians will undergo training in Calasiao, then on March 3 to 20, another set of training will be conducted for teachers who will serve as members of the electoral boards, according to Organiza.
The COMELEC official also said the new machines that will be used for the midterm elections have “undergone stress tests. They were operated more than 24 hours, continuous feeding of test ballots and the machines stood the stress tests.”
Pangasinan has 2,186,306 registered voters for the May 2025 National and Local Elections. (Eva Visperas)
Final testing of counting machines set 1st week of May
THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said the official ballots for the midterm elections are expected to arrive in the province a week before the May 12 voting day, and final testing and sealing of the automated counting machines along with the ballots is scheduled to take place from May 2 to 7.
Provincial Election Supervisor Erickson Oganiza expressed confidence that the ballots will be delivered on time despite the multiple revisions to the national ballot due to Supreme Court rulings in favor of candidates who were disqualified by the COMELEC.
During the machine testing, representatives from various political parties, along with the police, media and other concerned agencies, will be invited to witness the proceedings, which will be held at the COMELEC provincial hubs located in Alaminos City and Dagupan City.
A mock election will be conducted in conjunction with the testing and sealing activities to showcase the security, fairness, and efficiency of the upcoming elections. (Ahikam Pasion)
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