OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE
WATCHERS’ BRIEFING
Qualifications of a Watcher
SECTION 178, ARTICLE XV, OEC
• One per political party/one per independent party per polling place
• Qualified voter of the city/municipality
• Good reputation
• Not convicted by final judgment of any election offenses/any crime
• Know how to read and write
• NOT RELATED BY 4TH CIVIL DEGREE OF AFFINITY OR CONSANGUINITY
OF CHAIRMAN OR MEMBER OF THE BOARD
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF
WATCHERS
SECTION 179, ARTICLE XV, OEC
TO WITNESS AND
INFORM
THEMSELVES
TAKE NOTE OF
WHAT THEY SEE
OR HEAR
TAKE
PHOTOGRAPHS
OF INCIDENTS
• COUNTING OF VOTES
• ELECTION RETURNS
• TALLY BOARD
• BALLOT BOXES
• WHY FILE A PROTEST?
• Just and fair election
FILE PROTEST
AGAINST • Violation of the Omnibus
IRREGULARITY Election Code is sanctionable
of 1 up to 6 years of
imprisonment
HAVE CERTIFICATE OF
FILING AND • Arrest must have a warrant (if
arrested without, equivalent
RESOLUTION of 6 to 12 years of
imprisonment)
READ BALLOTS
AFTER THEY
HAVE BEEN READ
BY THE
CHAIRMAN
• However, they must not be
touched.
READ ELECTION
RETURNS AFTER
THEY HAVE BEEN
SIGNED
• Signed by the Chairman
• If Chairman refuses to sign,
FURNISHED WITH sanctionable by law
A CERTIFICATE
OF NUMBER OF
VOTES CAST
EACH CANDIDATE
FLOW OF ELECTIONS
• Present appointment (signed by the candidated) to the Chairman
• Your name shall be included in the minutes
• Sign the minutes
• Chairman will present the empty ballot box, then lock it (such fact shall be
included in the minutes)
• Present wrapped and sealed ballot pads with serial numbers and book of
voters BEFORE BREAKING THE SEAL
• If seal is broken, or if the pads or boxes do not contain serial numbers,
DOCUMENT IT
• Confirmation of identity of voter
• Voter shall write his vote in the ballot, fold it again
• His thumb mark shall be affixed in the space in the coupon
• Return to the chairman
• Staining of indelible ink
• Chairman will remove the coupon
• Deposit the ballot in the box
• Voter shall depart
• 7 AM - 3PM (but shall continue if there are still voters who are yet to vote)
• Counting of votes
MUST KNOW
PREPARATION OF BALLOTS FOR
ILLITERATE OR DISABLED PERSONS
Section 196, Article XVII, OEC
• May be assisted in the preparation of his ballot by:
• a relative, by affinity or consanguinity within the 4th civil degree
• If he has none, any person of his confidence who belong to the same household
• Or, any member of the board of election inspectors EXCEPT the 2 party members
• HE CANNOT BE ASSISTED UNLESS IT IS INDICATED IN HIS REGISTRATION
THAT HE IS ILLITERATE/DISABLED
• In no case shall a person assist for MORE THAN 3 TIMES, except the board of election
inspectors allowed to assist
PERSONS ALLOWED IN OR AROUND
THE POLLING PLACE
Section 192, Article XVII, OEC
• Member of the board of election inspectors
• Watchers
• Representatives of the Commission
• VOTERS CASTING THEIR VOTES
• Voters waiting to cast their votes (shall not exceed 2X the number of booths/not
to exceed 20 at a time)
• IT IS ILLEGAL for watchers to enter places reserved for the voters/board of
election inspectors AND mingle with voters within polling place
PERSONS ALLOWED IN OR AROUND
THE POLLING PLACE
Section 192, Article XVII, OEC
• IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR THE FF TO ENTER EXCEPT TO VOTE (and leave
immediately):
• Officer or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including the police
• Peace forces or any armed person, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces, home
defense units, BARANGAY TANOD, SECURITY GUARDS, BARANGAY
OFFICIAL
• Police shall stay outside 50 meters from polling place, EXCEPT if a request for detail made
in writing, and entered in minutes, in which case they may stay within 30 meters (to be
easily called) but never at the door; they cannot hold any conversation with voters
COUNTING OF VOTES
Section 206, Article XVIII, OEC
• Happens as soon as the voting is finished, the physical set up of the polling place may be re-
arranged
• It should be public and without interruption
• In the presence of the watchers
• Close view of the public
• Cannot adjourn unless the counting is finished OR if the Commission orders it
• There can only be a transfer in case of imminent danger or widespread violence
• it must be recommended in writing by the board of election inspectors by unanimous vote
• endorsed in writing by the majority of the watchers
COUNTING OF VOTES
Section 210, Article XVIII, OEC
• Board of election inspectors shall unfold the ballots
• Separate the ballots forming 100 piles each, held together by rubber bands
• Chairman shall assume a position that will enable the watchers to read the names
inside the ballots
