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  This web page contains the full text ofCOMELEC Resolution No. 3254RULES AND REGULATIONS ON FOREIGN OBSERVERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MAY 14, 2001 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS.

WHEREAS, foreigners or groups of foreigners may be coming to observe the May 14, 2001 national and local elections;

WHEREAS, there is a necessity to regulate the activities of foreign observers in the elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, the Commission has resolved to promulgate as it hereby promulgates, the following rules and regulations:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Section 1. Accreditation. - Any foreigner or foreign group, organization, committee or association, representing government or private interests, who may want to observe the May 14, 2001 elections, shall, at any time following the effectivity of this resolution, file an application for accreditation with the Commission through its Education and Information Department.

Sec. 2. Documentary Requirements. - The letter of application shall be supported by the following documents:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

[a] Duly accomplished information sheet;

[b] Two (2) ID size photographs of the application; and

[c] Endorsement by the Ambassador or Consul of the home country of the applicant/s.

Sec. 3. Identification Cards. - Upon approval of the application, the commission shall issue individual identification cards to the accredited foreign observers.

Sec. 4. Privileges. - Duly accredited foreign observers shall have the following privileges:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

[a] Before election day:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
 
(1) Request any official of the government, representatives of registered political parties, organizations or coalitions, candidates or their representatives, representatives of media, private firms or organizations, any political party or candidate for interview or briefing on the coming electoral exercise;

(2) Observe the continuing registration of voters and other preparation activities the offices of the election officers.

[b] On election day:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
 

Observe the conduct of election in any locality, interview voters, political leaders and other individuals outside the polling place, and document these by means of audio, visual or audio visual recordings, subject to the prohibition under section 5 hereof.

[c] After the elections:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
 

(1) Observe the counting of votes by the boards of election inspector and canvassing of results of votes conducted by the municipal, city, provincial, district and regional boards of canvassers; and

(2) Observe the canvassing proceeding s of the Commission acting as the National Board of Canvassers for Senators.

Sec. 5. Prohibited acts. - It shall be unlawful for any foreigner, whether juridical or natural person to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(1) aid any candidate or political party directly, or indirectly;

(2) take part in or influence in any manner the election;

(3) contribute or make any expenditure in connection with any election campaign or partisan political activity;

(4) enter any poling place during voting hours; and

(5) enter places reserved for voters or for the board of election inspectors or to mingle and talk the polling place.

Sec. 6. Penalty for Violation. - Any violation of the above provisions shall be punishable with one to six years of imprisonment and deportation which shall enforced after the service of the prison term has been served.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This resolution shall take effect on the seventh day after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Sec. 8. Dissemination. - The Education and Information Department shall implement this Resolution, cause its publication and furnish copies to all Regional Election Directors, provincial Election Supervisors, Election Officers, all political parties, all candidates, Public Information Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs, which shall cause dissemination thereof to its foreign service establishments and to representatives of foreign countries in the Philippines, for their information and guidance.
 
SO ORDERED.
 
 

(Sgd.) HARRIET O. DEMETRIOU, Chairman

(Sgd.) JULIO F. DESAMITO, Commissioner

(Sgd.) TERESITA DY-LIACCO FLORES, Commissioner

(Sgd.) LUZVIMINDA G. TANCANGCO, Commissioner

(Sgd.) RALPH C. LANTION, Commissioner

(Sgd.) RUFINO S.B. JAVIER, Commissioner

(Sgd.) MEHOL K. SADAIN, Commissioner

Promulgated: 28 September 2000.