AN ACT PROVIDING FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS

Case Overview and Summary

Statement of Policy (Section 1)
- Synchronize elections for national and local officials every 3 years.

Election Dates (Section 2)
- Elections for President, Vice-President, Senators, House of Representatives, and local officials on 2nd Monday of May 1992.
- Thereafter, President and Vice-President elected every 6 years, Senators and other officials every 3 years.

Election of Sanggunian Members (Section 3)
- Elective members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Panlungsod, and Bayan elected by legislative districts or municipalities.
- Specific provisions for Metro Manila Area, Cebu City, Davao City, and other cities with multiple districts.

Postponement, Failure of Election, and Special Elections (Section 4)
- Commission decides on postponement, failure of election, and calling of special elections by majority vote.
- Special election for Senate/House vacancy at least 1 year before term expiration.

Election and Campaign Period (Section 5)
- Election period: 90 days before and 30 days after election day.
- Campaign periods: 90 days for President, Vice-President, Senators; 45 days for other officials.
- Activities outside campaign period prohibited and punishable.

Nomination and Selection of Candidates (Section 6)
- No political convention earlier than 165 days before election for President, Vice-President, Senators; 75 days for other officials.

Filing of Certificates of Candidacy (Section 7)
- Certificates filed 1 day before start of campaign period with specified offices.
- Personal filing or authorized representative required.

Precincts and Establishment (Section 8)
- Commission may adjust or split precincts by assigning voters alphabetically if territorial division impracticable.

Voter Registration (Section 9)
- Registration 15th Saturday before election for new voters.
- Additional date in certain areas allowed.
- Posting of voter lists required.
- Inclusions, exclusions, corrections on 8th Saturday before election.

Annulment of Voter Lists (Section 10)
- Voter lists affected by fraud, irregularities, or statistically improbable may be annulled after verified complaint.
- No annulment within 60 days before election.

Voting Booths (Section 11)
- At least 10 voting booths in each polling place for secret voting.

Absentee Voting (Section 12)
- Limited to members of Armed Forces, Police, and government officers on election duty away from registered area.

Authorized Expenses of Candidates and Parties (Section 13)
- Candidates: P10 for President/Vice-President, P3 per registered voter (P5 without party).
- Parties: P5 per registered voter where they have official candidates.
- Contributions reported to Commission not subject to gift tax.

Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (Section 14)
- Candidates and party treasurers file statement within 30 days after election.
- Failure to file is an administrative offense with fines from P1,000 to P30,000.
- Second offense: P2,000 to P60,000 fine and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Pre-proclamation Cases (Sections 15-22)
- No pre-proclamation cases allowed for President, Vice-President, Senator, House of Representatives on election returns/certificates of canvass.
- Pre-proclamation cases allowed for provincial, city, and municipal offices.
- Procedures for initiating, appealing, and disposing of pre-proclamation controversies.
- Partial proclamation of unaffected candidates allowed.
- Expedited decision on municipal election contests by Commission.

Official Ballots (Sections 23-24)
- Uniform size, prescribed by Commission, with security features.
- Contents and format specified, including titles in Arabic where applicable.
- Chairman authenticates each ballot by signature on back.

Manner of Counting Votes (Section 25)
- Unimpeded view of ballot reading, election return, and tally board for watchers and public.
- Violation is an election offense.

Official Watchers (Section 26)
- Each party/candidate entitled to 1 watcher per polling place and canvassing center.
- 6 principal watchers representing major parties designated by Commission.

Election Returns and Distribution (Section 27)
- Specified number of copies and distribution for national and local elections.

Canvassing by Local Boards (Section 28)
- Procedures for canvassing by city/municipal, district, and provincial boards.
- Preparation of certificates of canvass and proclamation of winners.

Certificates of Canvass and Distribution (Section 29)
- Specified number of copies and distribution for certificates of canvass.
- Supporting statements of votes by precinct/municipality required.

Congress as National Board of Canvassers (Section 30)
- Congress determines authenticity and due execution of certificates of canvass for President and Vice-President.
- Procedures for verifying and counting votes if necessary.

Per Diems of Election Inspectors and Officials (Section 31)
- Election inspectors: P200 for registration/revision, P400 for election day.
- Other officials: P400 on election day.
- Delay in payment is an election offense.

Bearing of Firearms (Section 32)
- No carrying of firearms in public places during election period unless authorized by Commission.
- Only deputized law enforcement officers in uniform and on duty allowed.

Security Personnel and Bodyguards (Section 33)
- Candidates cannot employ security personnel or bodyguards during election period.
- Commission may assign law enforcement officers for security upon application.

Disposition of Firearms (Section 34)
- Firearms possessed in election offense disposed according to existing laws.

Rules and Regulations (Section 35)
- Commission to issue implementing rules and regulations, published in newspapers.

Governing Laws (Section 36)
- Elections governed by this Act, Omnibus Election Code, and other consistent laws.

Appropriation (Section 37)
- P1 billion appropriated for May 1992 elections.
- Subsequent elections funded through General Appropriations Act.
- Additional provisions for per diems, hazard pay, and incentives for May 1992 elections.

Separability Clause (Section 38)

Amending and Repealing Clause (Section 39)
- Repeals specified sections of Omnibus Election Code.
- Amends or repeals inconsistent laws, orders, decrees, rules, and regulations.

Effectivity Clause (Section 40)
- Act effective upon publication in 2 national newspapers.