BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has clarified that any complaints or protests regarding any irregularities that happened during the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) should be directed to the court.
It’s not the role of the poll body nor it has the authority to act or receive complaints after the election had concluded, said Atty. Reinier Layson, the Iloilo Provincial Election Supervisor and concurrent City Election Officer.
“Sa pag-file sang mga election protests sa mga naga-alegar nga may irregularities sa counting of ballots or votes sa barangay and SK elections, may mga nagakadto man diri sa’ton, may mga nagatawag. But of course ginatudloan gid sila naton under the law, ang election protests ara sa court ina, wala sa Commission on Elections especially diri sa barangay and SK elections,” Layson said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Iloilo.
He said the court could demand the Comelec in preserving any election-related records and documents in connection with the complaints.
“Ang election protests in relation to the conduct of the barangay and SK elections must be filed in the Municipal Trial Court having the jurisdiction over the place kung diin ginhiwat ang election nga may nag-file sang election protest,” Layson added./PN
