Comelec OKs lower proclamation count for 14 local posts

INQUIRER GRAPHICS

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved requests to lower the proclamation thresholds for 14 local positions in five areas.

The Comelec received requests from its local canvassing boards in seven areas and approved five.

According to Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, local board canvassers can request the poll body to lower the proclamation threshold in a certain area to be able to proclaim the winner if the number of still unaccounted for votes will no longer affect the outcome.

“Based on the determination of the board of canvassers, these are the only remaining results that are unaccounted for,” Garcia, speaking in a mix of Filipino and English told reporters after a briefing on Wednesday.

“Then the leads for the position of congressman, for the position of mayor, the leads [of the top candidates] are more than sufficient that, even if you were to give them to the other candidates, the leaders will win. Then a motion can be raised before the board,” he added.

“And the board can ask the Comelec to lower the threshold. So meaning, if [the threshold] is 100, it can be lowered to 95 percent, or 97 percent – whatever is left, that will be the basis for a lower threshold,” he explained.

The Comelec approved a lowered proclamation threshold for the following areas and positions:

Mandaluyong

• Mayor
• Vice Mayor
• House of Representatives seat
• Councilors (Districts 1 and 2)

Naic

• Vice Mayor

Rodriguez, Montalban

• Mayor

Muntinlupa City

• Mayor
• Vice Mayor
• House of Representatives seat

Taguig City

• Mayor
• Vice Mayor
• House of Representatives seat (First District)
• Sangguniang Panlungsod member

Meanwhile, the Comelec is asking for documentary requirements to supplement the requests to lower the proclamation threshold in Gandara, Samar, and Buldon in Maguindanao.

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