Philippines: Election body rejects EU observers’ request for access to May 12 voting centres

Manila: The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) has formally denied a request from European Union (EU) election observers to enter voting centres during the May 12 polls, citing legal and procedural constraints.

Speaking at a news forum in Manila on Thursday, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia emphasised that allowing foreign observers such as teh European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission members inside polling precincts would violate the Omnibus Election Code and potentially disrupt the voting process.

“I told them it is not possible for anyone to be allowed to enter [the voting centres] because it is against our laws,” Garcia told the Philippine News Agency.

“The Commission en banc is standing firm — we cannot allow anybody inside the polling precincts.”

The mission was organised in response to an invitation from the government of the Philippines to observe the National midterm vote. The EU EOM which has been present in the country since March 28.

People allowed in polling precincts

Garcia clarified that only the following are allowed inside the polling precincts:

By law, these are the only people permitted inside voting areas, according to the poll body.

Moreover, not even other Comelec personnel may enter without proper authorisation.

“Anyone who enters the precinct without authorisation — that is an election offence,” he said.

Request from EU observers

The EU observers had made their request through a formal letter, arguing that denying them access may contravene international election monitoring standards.

However, Garcia maintained that Comelec’s duty is to uphold Philippine law.

“If we are violators of the law, how can we disqualify?” Garcia said.

“A resolution contrary to law is no valid resolution at all. That’s clear.”

Asked whether the decision might lead to a negative assessment from the EU, Garcia said the Comelec is ready to face any consequences, standing by its mandate to enforce existing laws.

200 observers

Around 100 short-term observers will join the EU EOM shortly before Election Day (May 12), together with a delegation of members of the European Parliament and accredited diplomats.

In total, more than 200 observers from EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland will observe election operations on May 12, according to Marta Temido, a Member of the European Parliament from Portugal, who is leading EU EOM.

The mission conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process using a methodology developed by the EU and consistently applied across all countries where it observes.

The mission focuses on key aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, the work of the election administration, the election campaign, the role of the media and the social media, voting, automated counting, tabulation of the results, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

"The mission operates with complete independence and impartiality and does not interfere in the electoral process”, said Deputy Chief Observer, Manuel Sánchez de Nogués, said in a statement.

“Our long-term observers will be deployed across all regions of the Philippines, covering both urban and rural areas. They will observe the electoral process before, during, and after the vote on 12 May, and will meet with electoral officials, candidates, civil society representatives, and the media to gain a comprehensive understanding of the electoral process.”