ONLY fully vaccinated workers and those below 60 years old will be tapped as members of the Electoral Board in next year’s national elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said amid the continued threat of the coronavirus disease.
“Preference shall be given to individuals who are fully-vaccinated, without comorbidities, and below 60 years old,” the Comelec said in Resolution No. 10727.
Electoral Boards supervise the conduct of elections in clustered precincts.
The resolution said an EB member should be a registered voter in the city or municipality, should be of good moral character and irreproachable reputation, of known integrity and competence, has never been convicted of any election offense or of any crime that is punishable by more than six months of imprisonment, or has no pending Information for any election offense, and are able to speak and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect.
After public school teachers, the order of preference shall be private school teachers, national government employees, members of civil society organizations and non-government organizations, and any registered voters.
On the other hand, the Comelec said no person shall be appointed as a member of the EB if said person is related, within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, to any member of the same EB, to any candidate to be voted for in the polling place of assignment, or to the said candidate’s spouse.
It also stated that there will be limitations to the appointment of female poll workers.
“As far as practicable, women EB members may not be assigned in areas with security concerns, far flung barangays, or areas likely to cause gender-based violence or to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm,” said the poll body.
The Comelec also said that uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who have undergone the necessary trainings, may be deputized as a member of the EB if the peace and order situation in the area requires.
The Commission said the constitution and appointment of EB members will be from January 17 to 31, 2022.
At the same time, the Comelec gave public school teachers and others who will render poll services in the May 2022 polls higher honoraria and additional benefits set under the Election Service Reform Act.
Under the resolution, the EB chairpersons will get P7,000; EB members will get P6,000; Department of Education (DepEd) supervisor official will get P5,000; and support staff with get P3,000.
Under the law, the EB chairpersons are entitled to only P6,000; EB members, P5,000; DepEd supervisor official, P4,000; and support staff, P2,000.
The Comelec also mandated the hiring of medical personnel, who will each be given a P3,000 honoraria.
Each of the members of the EB shall be given a P2,000 travel allowance, while medical personnel shall get P1,000. The law only provides a travel allowance of P1,000 each.
A communication allowance amounting to P1,500 will also be provided, as well as P500 worth of anti-COVID-19 allowance.
Under the law, additional benefits may be granted upon the discretion of the Commission.
A service credit of five days shall be given to government officials and employees who will render poll services.
The Comelec will also provide poll workers with death benefits of P500,000; medical assistance of P200,000; and a legal indemnification package of P50,000.
