Comelec to netizens: Report unlawful campaign materials

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday asked the public to help in catching candidates and parties violating the campaign rules in the midterm polls.

In his Twitter account, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez encouraged the people to report the presence of illegal campaign materials of senatorial candidates and party-list organizations.

“Help us identify oversized and illegally placed campaign posters using #SumbongSaComelec,” he said.

Jimenez said the report must indicate if the campaign materials are oversized or out of place or both, location of the posters and the date the picture was taken.

Reports must be submitted to @comelec, facebook.com/comelecph, IG://comelectv or talktocomelec@gmail.com.

Jimenez added that posters without the words “Vote” or “Iboto” are still considered campaign propaganda.

“All materials must be removed, especially if these are oversized or located outside the common poster areas,” he said.

The Comelec issued the call as the 90-day campaign period for senatorial bets and party-list groups started yesterday.

Jimenez said violation of the campaign rules is tantamount to an election offense punishable with one to six years in prison, removal of the right to vote and disqualification from holding public office.