Doha: The Embassy of the Philippines in Qatar has asked the Filipino community to report any individuals or individual parties on the premature announcement of exit poll results.
In a Facebook post, it highlighted the strict prohibition by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the premature announcements of election or exit poll results in relation to the 2022 National and Local Elections, as this constitutes grave violation of Philippine elections laws, such as, but not limited to the Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act.
This came after several posts on social media went viral on supposed exit polls as overseas voters started casting their vote last week.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said on Twitter: “As a general rule, unless the entity that came out with the exit poll is a known and reputable survey firm, it is not reliable. It is easy to create official-looking forms or graphics that seem legitimate on social media.” The overseas voting ballots will only be counted on May 9, after the close of the polls, he continued.
The Fair Election Act states that the result of exit polls may be announced after voting ends on Election Day, which is May 9, 2022.
The Philippine Embassy explained: “With respect to the violation of election laws, such as the publication of exit polls, propagation of false and alarming reports or information, circulation of false orders during the conduct of overseas voting, and other similar activities, the Comelec has requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to gather reports from the Embassies/Consulates on election offenses committed and to include information in their reports to determine whether cases can be filed against the erring individual.
The Embassy called on Filipinos living in the country to be vigilant and to report to them any individuals or individual parties wilfully flouting Philippine election laws by providing information required by Comelec.
To file a case, the following details are needed: name of the offending party; name of his/her organisation, political party, party-list group, or candidate in case of poll watchers, as well as observers, media entities, or civil society partners; description of the acts or omissions complained of; the date of commission of the offenses; and sworn statement of affidavit of witness.
The Philippine overseas voting in the country started on April 10 and will continue until May 9, marking the Election Day in the Philippines. The embassy is open for voting purposes from 7am to 4pm daily.
Voters are advised to bring either a copy of Philippine passport or Qatar ID to be allowed to vote. They may only vote for president, vice-president, 12 senators and a party list group.
