TABLADO sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang hiling ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) at Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) na bigyan ng pagkakataong makaboto ang mga atleta, coaches at iba pang opisyal sa pambansang delegasyon na sasabak sa XXXI Southeast Asian Games sa susunod na taon.
Parehong Mayo 2022 idaraos ang SEA Games sa Vietnam at eleksiyon sa Pilipinas, kaya nais ng POC at PSC na masama sa absentee voters ang buong SEAG delegation.
Ngunit giit ng Comelec, hindi kasali ang mga nabanggit sa Local Absentee Voting provision para sa 2022 National Elections.
Kaya nalulungkot man, walang magawa ang national sports agency kundi tanggapin ang desisyon ng electoral body.
“The Comelec has politely turned down the proposal citing the Omnibus Election Code, Executive Order no. 157, Republic Acts 7166 and 10380 and Comelec Resolution No. 10725 which states that only four personnel from four groups may avail of local absentee voting. Government officials and employees, members of the Philippine National Police, Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who are assigned in places where they are not registered voters may be covered by this privilege. Members of the media who are covering or reporting the conduct of the elections may likewise be covered,” ayon sa PSC.
“Comelec letter informed that since the athletes, coaches and delegates are not part of the aforementioned groups who will be performing election duties, they cannot act upon the PSC’s request,” dagdag nito. “While this is sad news for all concerned, the PSC Board respects the Comelec’s advice. Only national athletes who are also military personnel or fall under any of the other categories mentioned above may register for Local Absentee Voting,” sabi pa ng national sports agency. (EDDIE ALINEA)
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