2016 Elections Timeline and Prohibited Acts

Below are prohibited acts during specific points in the election timeline. I have highlighted a few that are commonly violated out of ignorance or out of kakapalan ng mukha.

May 2016 Elections Timeline

January 10, 2016 - Start of Election Period

Prohibited Acts:

1. Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct. 
2. Transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service.
3. Bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.
4. Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.
5. Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or other similar forces.
6. Suspension of elective local officials.

February 9, 2016 onward - Start of campaign period for candidates for President, Vice-President, Senator and party-list groups. Campaign period ends on May 7, 2016.

Prohibited Acts:

1. Giving donations or gift in cash or in kind, etc.
2. Appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents, and the like.

March 25, 2016 - Start of campaign perios for candidates for Members of House of Representatives, and elective regional, provincial, municipal officials.

Prohibited Acts:

1. Appointments or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions; promotion or giving salary increases. remuneration or privilege.
2. Construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrant or similar devises for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds.
3. Release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds.

May 9, 2016 - Election Day

Prohibited Acts:

1. Campaigning
2. Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, or taking intoxicating liquor.
3. Giving, accepting, free transportation, food or drinks or things of value.
4. Voting more than once or in substitution of another.
5. Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place or within 30 meters thereof.
6. Opening of booths or stalls for sale, etc., or merchandise or refreshments within a radius of 30 meters from the polling place.
7. Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or any other similar sports.

Then there is also the size limit of campaign posters and materials. I will talk about them in the next post In Shaa Allah.

I have always believed that the public officials should be the very first ones to uphold the law, thus, if a politician starts campaigning ahead of time,I am turned off. If they can not follow the simple rules even before they have been elected, how can I expect them to follow the law after the have sworn to office.

Lastly, let us reflect upon our intetions this coming elections. Are we happy that elections means campaign funds or are we happy that we will have a chance to elect better officials? Are we voting for someone because he promised us a job, have already given a job to a family member, or because we genuinely believe that he is the best qualified? Are we voting for someone because of money or are we not because he is known as a drug lord? We will never e able to hold a chance at peace and progress if we let this elections go to waste by not giving importance to our single vote. Yes it is but one vote, but one vote will count, and may be the difference between electing good or bad politicians.