Campaign period for Frosh Elections officially begins on July 29, but those active in online social media platforms have noted that several candidates have already launched their campaigns online.
What constitutes electioneering
Article III Section 8 of the current election code defines electioneering as “any act of soliciting votes, pledges or support for or against a candidate or political party not within the specified campaign period.” In online platforms, this includes posts, pictures, tweets, or other media that include the political party’s logo, or any slogan or tag line that can be directly attributed to the party (if affiliated with a political party). The same follows for any independent candidates, who are asked to submit their slogan and other planned publicity stints upon the filing of candidacy.
Re-posting, retweeting, and other such online actions taken beyond the campaign period by the candidates and supporters are also counted as electioneering.
Election code revisions
Days before campaign period, parties have already started to campaign online. The disregarding of this act has raised concerns on the implementation of the election code. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is currently in the process of reviewing contents and provisions of the election code, which was last revised in 2010. The call for revision comes amidst the integration and streamlining of processes in the recently acquired Canlubang campus.
“Because of the integration of DLSU Manila and the Science and Technology Complex in Canlubang, we need to add and adjust provisions so that both campuses would only have to follow one election code and to make it as clear as possible,” explains COMELEC Chairperson Kevin Caballas (VI, CS-IST), “But because the COMELEC has so much to review and because of the preparations we’re doing for the upcoming Freshmen Elections, we decided to focus first on the elections and push through with the amendments next term.” He adds, “Since we’ll be working closely with the Elections Commission (STC COMELEC) and the Legislative Assembly with this, I’m very hopeful that the new election code would be in effect in time for the 2014 General Elections.”
Last July 27, the political parties signed the Memorandum of Agreement, and the candidates filed their certificates of candidacy and were briefed on the rules and regulations they need to observe throughout the campaign and election period. On August 2, candidates will be having a debate from 10 am to 12 pm at Y507 to Y509 and an open forum from 1 pm to 3 pm at Y508 to Y509. “All in all, the Commission on Elections is primed for the upcoming Freshmen Elections,” says Caballas, who also tells that the commission has planned other FE activities that will be announced as campaigns progress.
Voting period reminders
Official campaign period will run until August 5, after which all forms of publicity for the candidates, whether via SMS, online, or live, must be taken down. Voting will commence on August 6-8 from 9 am to 6 pm at the lobby of Br. Andrew Gonzales Building. “During this time, all candidates as well as their supporters cannot campaign for themselves, other candidates, and slates,” says Caballas.
Candidates will not be allowed to loiter in the election booth area during the voting period, nor will they be allowed to pass through the Br. Andrew Gonzales Building gate facing Taft Avenue. COMELEC also advises students to keep watch for and report or any possible situations of voter harassment, defined in Article III Section 24 of the election code as “any situation wherein a candidate or party disenfranchises a person (deprives his/her right to vote), ultimately contributing to fraud in the election process.” Students who feel victimized by such harassment in any form may approach COMELEC for assistance.
Frosh voters must have with them their IDs in order to vote. In the absence of an ID, a student may show his or her EAF or an original receipt for their payment of tuition.
