DILG, Comelec step up drive vs vote-buying
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) joined hands to combat vote-buying and vote-selling during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Tuesday to work together with other government agencies, citizens’ arms, and other stakeholders to ensure the honest and peaceful conduct of BSKE elections.
Under the MOA, the Comelec and DILG will train DILG and local government personnel to identify and gather evidence on election offenses.
These agencies shall also spearhead an information campaign on vote-buying and vote-selling in all LGUs.
The BSKE election campaign period will be from October 19 to 28.
Vote-buying and vote-selling, as defined in the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), refer to offering money or anything of value to induce anyone to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote.
