COMELEC Rules No Selfies While Voting

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Provincial Office here said that voters will not be allowed to take photographs while voting in the upcoming May 9 elections.

Atty. Wil Arceño, Provincial Election Supervisor for Iloilo, said that COMELEC has banned the use of cellphones in polling precincts on election day.

“Bawal sa botante ang gumamit ng cellphone during voting,” he said.

He said that voters are prohibited to use their mobile phones not just for taking pictures but also for calling or sending text messages.

Comelec rules prohibit voters, watchers, and members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) from taking photos of the ballots or voter’s receipts inside the polling precinct, as it violates the sanctity and secrecy of the ballot.

Comelec Resolution 8786 states that “use of carbon paper, paraffin paper or other means of making a copy of the contents of the ballot, or otherwise make use of any other scheme to identify his vote, including the use of digital cameras, cellular phones with camera or similar gadgets” are prohibited.

He also said that another prohibited act is bringing the voter’s receipt out of the polling place.

“The issued receipts will be deposited inside the voter’s receipt receptacle inside the polling place”, he said.

Those caught bringing the voter’s receipt out of the polling place will face one to six years imprisonment without probation.

They will also face perpetual disqualification from holding government office and will no longer be able to vote, Comelec rules state. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)