COMELEC to public: Help us get rid of flying voters

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has called on the public to help them in identify flying voters who applied for registration during the recently concluded voters' registration period in connection with the October 25, 2010 Barangay elections.

In a statement, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez announced that COMELEC Offices nationwide are set to post on Monday, August 16, 2010, a list of voters who applied for registration.

"We are calling on the public to help us identify flying voters by looking at the list of registrants that will be posted outside the Office of the Election Officer in your area on Monday. If you see people who are not residents in your Barangay, report it to your Election Officer so that they may be excluded from the voters list, if necessary," said Jimenez.

Republic Act 8189 or the Voters Registration Act of 1996 states that any voter, candidate, or representative of a registered political party may challenge, in writing and under oath, any application for registration.

Opposition to contest a registrant's application, said Jimenez, will be heard by the Election Registration Boards (ERB) for approval or disapproval.

According to COMELEC Resolution 9007, the last day to file opposition to the applications for registration/transfer of registration records is on August 18, 2010.Election Registration Boards (ERBs) will be hearing all applications on August 20, 2010.