THE REVISED ELECTION CODE

Case Overview and Summary

SUMMARY OF THE REVISED ELECTION CODE

General Provisions:
- This Act shall be known as the "Revised Election Code" and governs all elections of public officers and plebiscites. (Section 1-2)
- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has direct supervision over officials conducting elections and can suspend or remove them for non-compliance. (Section 3)
- COMELEC's organization, powers, and procedures are defined. (Section 4-5)

Candidacies and Eligibility:
- Appointive officers automatically cease in office upon filing a certificate of candidacy. (Section 26)
- Elected officials running for another office are considered resigned from their current office. (Section 27)
- Candidates found guilty of certain violations shall be disqualified. (Section 29)
- Requirements for certificates of candidacy are specified. (Section 31-36)

Contributions and Other Practices:
- Defines "political committee", "contribution", "expenditure", and "person". (Section 39)
- Regulates political committees, contributions, expenditures, and reporting requirements. (Section 40-45)
- Prohibits certain collections of funds, contributions from public utilities, and limits candidate expenses. (Section 46-48)
- Prohibits unlawful expenditures, electioneering, transportation/food/drinks, and intoxicating liquors. (Section 49-52)
- Restricts carrying deadly weapons, intervention of public officers/employees, and foreigners. (Section 53-56)

Election Precincts:
- Establishes election precincts as voting units, with requirements and procedures. (Section 57-61)

Polling Places:
- Specifies requirements, arrangements, and materials for polling places. (Section 62-74)

Board of Inspectors:
- Outlines appointment, representation, qualifications, and duties of election inspectors and poll clerks. (Section 75-94)

List of Voters:
- Requires a permanent list of voters renewed every 12 years, with procedures for registration, cancellation, and challenges. (Section 95-123)

Official Ballots:
- Specifies ballot requirements, arrangements, distribution, and emergency ballots. (Section 124-129)

Casting of Votes:
- Outlines voting hours, preliminaries, procedures, challenges, and record-keeping. (Section 130-143)

Counting of Votes:
- Prescribes procedures for counting votes by the Board of Inspectors, including appreciation of ballots. (Section 144-157)

Provincial and Municipal Canvassers:
- Establishes provincial and municipal boards of canvassers, their composition, and canvassing procedures. (Section 158-171)

Election Contests:
- Provides procedures for contesting elections, judicial counting, appeals, and preferential disposition. (Section 172-182)

Penal Provisions:
- Classifies election offenses as serious or less serious, with corresponding penalties. (Section 183-188)

Final Provisions:
- Authorizes COMELEC to issue forms, repeals inconsistent laws, and sets effectivity. (Section 189-192)