Comelec told: Don’t scare us about poll delays

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

SENATE President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday chided the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for speculating about the possibility that elections in certain areas could be delayed, saying this might jeopardize the electoral process.

“The Comelec should avoid actions which may bring into question the credibility and integrity of the electoral process,” Drilon said in a statement.

Drilon, who is running for reelection under the Liberal Party, issued the statement following reports that because of the delay in the printing of ballots due to compatibility problems with the machines, the Comelec’s schedules for configuring and deploying the machines might be affected.

As a result, elections in several areas may not push through on May 9.

According to Drilon, elections as a rule must be held simultaneously throughout the country and failure to exercise this mandate is a violation of the Constitution.

He pointed out that polls could only be deferred in exceptional cases, such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia, and force majeure.

There was enough time to print the ballots, he said, adding that the Comelec should look for solutions before even considering postponement.