AN ACT GRANTING ALL CITIZENS'' ARMS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 8173

Distribution of Election Returns
- Amends Section 27 of Republic Act No. 7166 regarding the number of copies and distribution of election returns. (Section 1)
- For national elections (President, Vice President, Senators, and House of Representatives):
    - 1st copy: City/municipal board of canvassers (Section 1(a)(1))
    - 2nd copy: Congress, directed to the President of the Senate (Section 1(a)(2))
    - 3rd copy: Commission on Elections (Section 1(a)(3))
    - 4th copy: Dominant majority party determined by the Commission (Section 1(a)(4))
    - 5th copy: Dominant minority party determined by the Commission (Section 1(a)(5))
    - 6th copy: Citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count, subject to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 (Section 1(a)(6))
    - 7th copy: Deposited inside the ballot box for valid ballots (Section 1(a)(7))
- For local elections:
    - 1st copy: City/municipal board of canvassers (Section 1(b)(1))
    - 2nd copy: Commission on Elections (Section 1(b)(2))
    - 3rd copy: Provincial board of canvassers (Section 1(b)(3))
    - 4th copy: Dominant majority party determined by the Commission (Section 1(b)(4))
    - 5th copy: Dominant minority party determined by the Commission (Section 1(b)(5))
    - 6th copy: Citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count, subject to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 (Section 1(b)(6))
    - 7th copy: Deposited inside the ballot box for valid ballots (Section 1(b)(7))

Repealing Clause and Effectivity
- Repeals all laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. (Section 2)
- The Act takes effect immediately upon its approval. (Section 3)