Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Manila GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTING, Socorro B. Acting Chairperson THE CONSTITUTION, CASQUEJO, Marlon S. Commissioner COMPOSITION AND FEROLINO, Aimee P. Commissioner APPOINTMENT OF ELECTORAL BULAY, Rey E. Commissioner BOARDS AND SPECIAL BOARD OF CANVASSERS; AND THE VOTING AND COUNTING OF VOTES AND CANVASSING OF ELECTION RETURNS ON THE MAY 09, 2022 NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN THE SIXTY-THREE (63) BARANGAYS IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH COTABATO THAT VOTED FOR INCLUSION IN THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM Promulgated: February 23, 2022 MINDANAO (BARMM). { RESOLUTION NO. 10763 WHEREAS, on July 27, 2018, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was signed into law which seeks to establish a new political entity, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); WHEREAS, in a plebiscite conducted on January 21, 2019 and February 6, 2019, the citizens of the then-existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) voted to ratify the BOL, while sixty-three (63) barangays in the Province of North Cotabato voted for inclusion in the BARMM; WHEREAS, in view of the inclusion of the sixty-three (63) barangays in the BARMM, the registered voters of the said sixty-three (63) barangays will no longer vote for the officials of their then-parent province (North Cotabato) as the sixty-three (63) barangays are now within the supervision of the Bangsamoro Government, thus, they will vote for the officials of the Bangsamoro Government. including its constituent local government units;WHEREAS, the Bangsamoro Government is tasked under the Organic Law to enact a law for the reconstitution of the geographical areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for the proper determination of the specific local government units the sixty-three (63) barangays shall belong to in the BARMM; WHEREAS, M.R. No. 21-0953 dated September 15, 2021, the Commission En Banc has resolved to approve that in case the Bangsamoro Government still cannot determine the specific local government units the sixty-three (63) barangays shall belong to in the BARMM relative to the conduct of the 09 May 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE), the registered voters of the said sixty- three (63) barangays may only be allowed to vote for national positions, particularly, for positions of President, Vice-President, Senator and Party-List Representatives, for purposes of the 09 May 2022 NLE, and the manual voting system as herein provided shall be implemented; WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 115931 amended Section 13, Article XVI of R.A. No. 11054'to read as follows: “SEC, 13. First Regular Election. - The first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government under this Organic Law shall be held and synchronized with the 2025 national elections. The Commission on Elections, through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office, shall promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections, enforce regulations for the conduct of the elections, enforce and administer them pursuant to national laws, this Organic Law and the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.” NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 7166, and other pertinent election laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the following rules and regulations on the voting of the sixty-three (63) barangays in North Cotabato Province who voted for inclusion in the BARMM: Sec, 1. Scope. — These rules and regulations shall apply to themanner of voting, counting of votes and canvassing of election results in the sixty-three (63) barangays that previously belonged to the North Cotabato Province before being included in the BARMM: Barangays | Municipality | Barangays Municipality | 1) Dunguan ‘Aeasait 33) DatuBinasing | | 2)Tapodoc iis] 34) Kadingilan 3)Manarapan 35) Matilac 4) Nasapian 36)Patot_ “| Pigcawayan 5)Kibayao | Carmen 37)Lower Pangangkalan 6) Ktulaan 38) DatuMantil 7) Langogan 39) LibunganTorreta | 'SEC. 13. First Regular Election. ~ The first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government under this Organic Law shall be held and synchronized with the 2022 national elections. The Commission on Elections, through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office. shall promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections, enforce and administer them pursuant to national laws, this Organic Law and the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. 2'8) Pebpoloan (40) Upper Pangangkalan | 9) Tupig = 41) Simsiman 10) Nanga-an 42) Bagoinged 11) Simbuhay | [43)S. Balong 12) Sanggadong | Kabacan 44) S. Balongis 13) Buluan_ 45) Batulaawan 14) Pedtad 46) Buliok 15) Simone_ 47) Gokotan 16) Tamped 48) Kabasalan | 17) Damatulan 49) Lagunde == 18) Kadigasan 50) Macabual | 19) Kadingilan 51) Macasendeg 20) Kapinpilan 52) Barungis 21) Kudarangan__| (53) Bualan Pikit 22) Central Labas | | 54) Bulol 23) Malingao Midsayap 55) Fort Pikit 24) Mudseng |56) Gli-gli 25) Nabalawag _| (57) Manaulanan 26) Olandang_ £58) Nabundas 27) Sambulawan 59) Nalapaan 28) Tugal 60) Nunguan 29) Tumbras 61) Pamalian (30) Lower Baguer 62) Panicupan (B11) Balacayon Pigcawayan | | 63) Rajah Muda 32) Buricain | | 7 Sec. 2. Date, Time and Place of Voting. — The registered voters of the abovementioned sixty-three (63) barangays shall cast their votes on May 09, 2022, from 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., at their designated polling places. Sec, 3. Positions to be voted for. — For the May 09, 2022 BARMM National Elections, only the positions of President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List Representatives shall be voted for bythe registered voters of the abovementioned sixty-three (63) barangays in North Cotabato Province that voted to be included in BARMM. Sec. 4. Official Ballot. -The sixty-three (63) barangays shall use special manual ballots wherein they will write the individual names of nationalcandidates they choose to vote for. Sec. 5. Electoral Board. — There shall be an Electoral Board (EB) for every clustered precinct whom the Commission, through the Election Officer (EO) of the Municipality to which the sixty-three (63) barangays previously belonged to before inclusion in the BARMM, shall constitute and appoint, from January 17 to 31, 2022. Sec. 6. Composition of the Electoral Board. — The EB shall be composed of a Chairperson, Poll Clerk and Third Member.As far as practicable, women EB members may not be assigned in areas with security concerns, far-flung barangays, or areas likely to cause gender- based violence or to result in physical, sexual or psychological hard. Sec. 7. Right of Preference. — In the appointment of the members of the EB, the EO shall give preference to public school teachers who are qualified, willing and available to render election service, and who are registered voters in the sixty-three (63) barangays. If there are insufficient public school teachers in the sixty-three (63) barangays, the public school teachers from the municipality to which the said barangays originally belonged to, shall be appointed, For this purpose, the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), shall submit to the EO a certified list of public school teachers and substitutes who are qualified, willing and available to render election-related service within five (5) days upon request, based on the Project of Precincts (POP). The EO shall give preference to those with permanent appointments and those who served in previous elections based on the prescribed form (see Annexes A-1 and A-2). The request shall be accompanied by a copy of the POP. In the event that the MBHTE informs the EO concerned that there are insufficient number of public school teachers from the concerned barangay, the public school teachers from the municipality to which the concerned barangay previously belonged to before inclusion in the BARMM, shall be the next preference. In which case, the DepEd of the said Municipality shall submit to the EO a list of qualified, willing and available school teachers, in accordance with the above paragraph. The number of substitutes shall be 20% of the total number of members of the EB to be appointed (i.e. 20 clustered precincts x 3 = 60 x 20% - 12, hence, 12 substitutes). In the preparation of such list, the MBHTE or DepEd as the case may be, shall exercise due diligence to ensure that the persons appearing in the said list are indeed publicschool teachers, who are qualified, willing, and available to serve as members of the EB. Further, the list is for recommendatory purposes only. Within three (3) days from receipt of the list, the EO shall immediately conduct verification on the qualifications of the persons appearing in the said list based on the qualifications set forth in the immediately succeeding section. Public school teachers not included in the list, who are qualified, willing and available, may apply directly to the EO. Sec. 8. Qualification of Members of the Electoral Board. — No person shall be appointed as member of the EB, whether regular, temporary or as a substitute, unless such person is:a) A registered voter of the municipality to which any of the sixty-three (63) barangays previously belonged to, as provided for the in the first paragraph of the preceding section; b) Of good moral character and irreproachable reputation; c) Of known integrity and competence; d) Has never been convicted of any election offense or of any crime punishable by more than six (6) months of imprisonment, or has no pending information for any election offense; and e) Able to speak and write Filipino, English or the local dialect. Preference shall be given to individuals who are fully-vaccinated, without comorbidities, and below sixty (60) years old. Sec. 9. Disqualification of Members of the Electoral Board. — No person shall be appointed as a member of the EB if said person is related, within the fourth (4%) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, to any member of the same EB, to any candidate to be voted for in the polling place of assignment, or to the said candidate’s spouse. Sec. 10. Notice of Disqualification. —The chairperson or any member of the EB who is disqualified to serve for any reason shall immediately notify, in writing, the EO concerned. Sec. 11. Posting of the List of the Constituted Members of the Electoral Boards. — A day after the constitution of the EB, the list of the constituted members and substitutes shall be posted for five (5) days on the bulletin boards in the Office of the Election Officer (EO), and in the barangay and municipal hall. Sec. 12. Opposition to the Designated Members of the Electoral Boards. — Within three (3) days from the posting of the list of appointed members of the EB or the posting of the final list of candidates, any interested party may file a written opposition under oath against any appointed members of the EB at the OEO. In case an opposition is filed, the EO shall observe the following procedures: a) Receive the written opposition. No opposition shall be acted upon by the EO, unless there is proof that a copy of the opposition has been furnished to the contested member; b) Issue a notice to the contested member to answer the opposition. The answer shall be filed within two (2) days from receipt of such notice. No answer shall be considered by the EO, unless there is a proof that a copy of said answer has been sent to the opposing party;c) With or without an answer, issue a notice stating the date, time and place of the evaluation of the opposition, The notice shall be personally delivered to the known addresses of the parties; d) Within a period of seven (7) days from receipt of the opposition, the EO shall resolve the opposition in writing stating the reason/s for the decision. The decision shall be final and non-appealable; and e) Copies of the decision shall be furnished to the parties and the concerned MBHTE/DepEd official. Non-appearance of the parties shall not be a ground for the dismissal of the opposition or disqualification of the contested member, nor shall effectively bar the EO from conducting further investigation on the qualifications of the contested member. Sec, 13. Appointment of Public School Teachers as Substitutes. — In case of disqualification of a member of the EB, the EO shall appoint a ‘substitute who is qualified, willing and available.Other qualified substitutes may be appointed by the Commission, through the EO, in either of the following cases: a. There is a lack of public school teachers to be constituted ass members of the EB based on the certified list submitted by the MBHTE/DepEd official ta the EO vis-a-vis the number of clustered precincts in the barangay or municipality, as the case may be; b. One or more of the public school teachers in the certified list has or have been disqualified by the EO, and there are no other publicschoo! teachers in the locality who are qualified, willing and available to be appointed as substitute/s, Substitutes shall be on-call on election day. The EO shall cause the deployment of a substitute in case any member of the EB fails to report in their designated polling place. Except in the following instances when there is a need to fill in a temporary vacancy, the members of the EB who are present, may appoint a qualified non-partisan registered voter, who shall serve until the regular or substitute member appears: a. There is considerable distance between the residence of the substitute and the location of the polling place; s ). Lack or difficulty of means of transportation; or Inability of the EB to inform the EO of the non-appearance of any of the member. Sec. 14, Order of the Preference. — In case any of the circumstances mentioned in the preceding section exists, the EO may appoint the following 6persons based on the order of preference, who shall likewise be qualified, willing and available to render election related service, to wit: a. Private school teachers, giving preference to: al. Those employed in private schools being utilized ‘by, ‘thé | Commission as voting centers. If the voting center is a public building, private school teachers whose place of employment is within the vicinity may be appointed as members of the EB in that particular area. a.2, Those teaching in high school or college level, holding regular positions who have previously served as member of the EB. For this purpose, the highest private school official shall submit to the EO, within five (5) days upon request, a certified list of private school teachers who are qualified, willing and available to render election-related service (See Annex B). b. National government employees; b.1. MBHTE/DepEd non-teaching personnel; b.2, Other national officials and employees holding regular or permanent positions, excluding uniformed personnel of the Department of National Defense (DND), all its attached agencies, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), except in the succeeding section of this Resolution; c, Members of the Commission-accredited citizens’ arms or other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-government Organizations (NGOs) duly accredited by the Commission; and d. Any registered voter of the barangay or of the municipality, as the case may be,of known integrity and competence and who is not connected with any candidate or political party; d.1, Connection with any candidate shall mean: did. relationship within the fourth (4°) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including the spouse of the candidate d.1.2. supporter; d.1.3. contributor, donor; or d.1.4. other analogous cases. d.2. Connection with any political party shall mean:d.2.1. members of officials of the political party and their spouses and members of the family within the fourth (4%) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity; d.2.2. supporter; d.2.3. contributor, donor; or d.2.4. other analogous cases. For this purpose, the following persons shall endorse a certified list of their respective personnel, who are qualified, willing and available to render election-related service, based on the POP to the EO within five (5) days upon request, to wit: 1. The highest official of the private school in the barangay, or the municipality, as the case may be, for letter (a) of this section. In case there are two or more private schools in the barangay, or the municipality as the case may be, the EO shall send a request simultaneously (Annex C-1); N . The MBHTE or DepEd official in case of MBHTE/DepEd non- teaching personnel (Annex C-2); w . The highest official of other national government agencies in the barangay, or the municipality, in case of letter (b.2.) above, if any; or 4. The highest officer of authorized representative of the local chapter of the Commission-accredited citizens’ arms or other CSOs and NGOs duly accredited by the Commission in the barangay, or municipality, in case of letter (c) above. In case there are two or more organizations in the barangay, or municipality, the EO shall send the request simultaneously (see Annex C-3); In case of numbers 1 and 4, the EO shall observe the policy on a first-come first-served basis. The endorsement of the heads of the agencies shall serve as an authority for their respective employees who shall render election- related service to be on official business for purposes of attending trainings or seminars relative to their appointments as members of the EB. In the preparation of the list, the aforementioned officials shall exercise due diligence to ensure that the persons appearing therein are indeed qualified, willing, and available to render election-related service.Private school teachers, national government employees, MBHTE/DepEd non-teaching personnel, other national government Officials and employees holding regular or permanent positions, excluding uniformed personnel of the DND and all its attached agencies, and members of the Commission-accredited citizens’ arms, or other civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations duly accredited by the Commission, not included in the Lists, who are qualified, willing and available, may apply directly to the EO With regard to letter (d) of this Section, the Commission shall provide, free of charge, an application form, which shall be made available at the OEOs for any registered voter who intends to be appointed as a member of the EB. The Information Technology Department of the Commission shall ensure that the said form may be downloaded from its official website for easy access thereto. Sec. 15, Deputation of Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP). — Uniformed personnel of the PNP may be deputized as a member of the EB, if the following circumstances are present: a. The peace and order situation in the area requires, as determined by the Commission; and b. There are no other qualified, willing and available persons to render election-related service in the affected area based on the certification issued by the concerned officials in observing the Order of Preference. Where designated EBs fail to report on Election Day or retrieve the election documents from the Municipal Treasurer's Office or OEO due to THE peace and order situation, the EO may designate the PNP personnel as substitute EB. For this purpose, the Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) of North Cotabato shall determine the number of PNP personnel subject to the approval of the Regional Election Director of the BARMM. Sec. 16. Posting of Notice of Date, Time and Place of Filing of Application of Qualified Substitutes. — The Commission shall set the period within which applications for qualified substitutes falling in paragraph (d) of Section 14 of this Resolution and after the last day of the period for filing of applications, the EO shall observe the procedures mentioned in Sections 11 and 12 of this Resolution. Sec. 17. Authority to Administer Oath. — The EO of the municipalities to which the sixty-three (63) barangays previously belonged to, shall have the power to administer oath in all cases where said oath is required, free of charge. Sec. 18. Oath of the Chairperson and Members of the Electoral Board. — Before assuming office, the Chairperson or members of the EB shall take and sign an oath using CEF no. AS and A5-A before an officer authorized toadminister oath or, in the absence of said officer, before any other member of the EB present, or in case no one is present, before any voter. Sec. 19. Powers and Functions of the Electoral Board. — In addition to the powers and functions prescribed by law or by the rules and regulations issued by the Commission, the EBs shall: a. Verify the identity of a voter using the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List (EDCVL); s . Conduct the voting in the polling place and administer the counting of votes; p . Act as deputies of the Commission in the supervision and control of the conduct of elections in the polling place; a |, Maintain order within the polling place and its premises to keep an open and unobstructed access thereto; €, Prohibit the use of cellular phones, cameras or any recording device by the voters during voting; f. Implement minimum public health standards as provided for in this Resolution, and other applicable COMELEC Resolutions, including but not limited to Resolution No. 10727, and enforce obedience to its lawful orders. If any person refuses to obey the lawful orders of the EB or conducts in a disorderly manner in its presence or within its hearing and thereby interrupts or disturbs its proceedings, the EB may issue an order in writing directing any peace officer to take such person into custody until the adjournment of the meeting, but such order shall not be executed as to prevent such person from voting. In the absence of any peace officer, such order may be executed by any other competent and able person deputized by the EB in writing. A copy of such written order shall be attached to the Minutes. © |. Furnish copies of the Certificate of Votes (C.E. Form No. 13) upon request of the watchers; and > |. Perform such other functions prescribed by law or by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission. Sec. 20. Voting Privilege of the Members of the Electoral Board. — Members of the EB may vote in the polling place where they are assigned on election day, provided that: a. They are registered voters of the municipality to which the sixty-three (63) barangays previously belonged to; and 10b. They shall add their names and precinct numbers and the place where are actually registered in the EDCVL, and note such fact in the Minutes. Any member of the EB, who is a registered voter of another barangay within the same municipality, may vote in the polling place where they are actually registered, provided that: a. The voting in their place of assignment is light; S Their absence shall not be more than thirty minutes; c. The members of the EB shall schedule the voting so that only one (1) member shall leave at any given time; & They must be given priority in voting; and 2 » The fact that they exercised their voting privilege shall be noted in the Minutes. In the alternative, the EB may avail of local absentee voting pursuant to COMELEC Resolution No, 10725 dated October 27, 2021 entitled "Rules and Regulations on Local Absentee Voting in Connection with the May 09, 2022 National and Local Elections.” Sec. 21. Meetings of the Electoral Board. — The meetings of the EB shall be public and held only in the polling place authorized by the Commission. The EB shall act through its chairperson, and without delay, decide by majority vote, all questions that may arise in the performance of its duties. The minimum public health standards issued by the IATF-EID, other health protocols, and the applicable provisions of COMELEC Resolution No. 10727 on the matter, shall be strictly observed during these meetings. Sec. 22. Prohibition on Political Activity. — No member of the EB shall engage in any partisan political activity or take part in the election, except to vote and discharge his/her duties as such. Sec. 23. Temporary Vacancies in the Electoral Board. — If at the time of the meeting of the EB, any member is absent or a position in the EB is still vacant, the members present shall call upon the substitute of the absent members to perform the duties of the latter. In case such substitute cannot be found, the members present shall appoint any qualified non-partisan registered voter of the polling place to temporarily fill in said vacancy until the absent member appears or the vacancy is filled. In case there are two (2) or more members present, they shall act jointly. Sec. 24. Arrest of absent member. — The member or members of the EB present may order the arrest of any member or substitute thereof, who, inthe member's or members’ judgment, is absent with the intention of obstructing the performance of the duties of the EB. Sec. 25. Relief and Substitution of the Members of the Electoral Board. — The members of the EB shall not be relieved unless disqualified as provided in this Resolution. Sec. 26. Support Staff of the Electoral Board. — The EO concerned shall, during the period for the constitution and appointment of the EB, appoint one (1) support staff to assist the EB in the performance of its duties. The support staff need not be a registered voter of municipality but most. Possess all other qualifications and none of the disqualifications for appointment to the EB. The numbers of additional support staff that may be appointed per EB are as follows: Number of Established Precincts in the Number of Additional EB Support Staff _ | Clustered Precincts 13 i 0 4 1 5 or more 2 7 The EB support staff cannot participate in the deliberation of the EB or vote on any issue or question that may arise during the proceedings. In case of absence of any of the support staff on the day of the election, the EB, by majority vote, may designate a substitute who need not be a registered voter of the municipality, but possesses all the other qualifications and none of the disqualifications for appointment as support staff. Sec. 27. Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education Supervisor Official and Support Staff; Composition, Qualification and Functions. - - For every voting center catering the 63 barangays, the EO shall, within the period for the constitution and appointment of the EB, constitute one (1) DESO and one (1) DESO Support Staff who will act as Safety Protocol Officer. The DESO and Support Staff need not be registered voters of the city or municipality or district where they are assigned but must possess all the other qualifications and none of the disqualifications for appointment of the EB. The DESO assigned in the voting center catering the 63 barangays, in coordination with the EO, shall: a. serve as COVID Marshal.a . plan, organize, lay-out, and supervise the setting up of a Voters’ Assistance Desk (VAD) at the voting center to assist voters in locating their polling places or precinct assignments,; cc. supervise the strategic posting of the layout of the voting center indicating/showing the location of the polling places of the clustered precincts in the voting center, as well as the posting of other signages, which shall guide the voters in the voting process; d. plan, organize and supervise the crowd management at the ingress and egress areas of the polling places; . maintain a list of PNP and AFP personnel, assigned in the centers for efficient coordination; f. serve as the contact and point person of the EO in the polling place or voting center; g. supervise the Safety Protocol Officer Support Staff in implementing the minimum public health standards in the voting center; = . Supervise the Isolation Polling Place Support Staff in implementing the voting inside the IPP; i. Perform such other functions prescribed by law or by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission. Sec. 28. Entitlement of Honoraria, Allowances, Service Credits and Other Benefits. — Except for the travel allowance during the final testing and sealing, and communication allowance, all persons rendering election-related service shall be entitled to the honoraria, allowances, service credits and other benefits as provided in Section 33 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10727. Sec. 29. Medical Personnel. — In every voting center, the EO shall appoint one (1) Medical Personnel from the deputized agencies to be stationed at the entrance of the Voting Center. Sec. 30. Reportorial Requirements. — The EO shall, within three (3) days from the constitution, appointment and designation of the (a) members of EB and their support staff (b) DESO and their support staff, (c) medical personnel, submit to the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor of North Cotabato, the following: a. List containing the names of the appointed members of the EB, their designations and an indication whether they are public school teachers or private school teachers, or civil service employees or private citizens, arranged by precinct; b. List containing the names of the appointed support staff of the EB, an indication whether they are public school teachers or private school 13teaches or civil service employees or private citizens, arranged by precinct; c. List containing the names of the appointed DESO and their support staff, and indication whether they are public school teachers or private school teachers or civil service employees or private citizens, arranged by polling/voting center; and d. List containing the names of the appointed medical personnel. The PES of North Cotabato shall, within three (3) days from receipt of above-enumerated documents, submit the same to the RED of BARMM copy furnished the RED of Region XII. The RED of BARMM shall them submit immediately the lists to the Finance Service Department (FSD) and Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) through the fastest possible means. Soft copies in PDF format are likewise to be submitted through email at finance@comelec.gov.ph and Sec. 31. Period of Payment, Delay in the Payment. — The honoraria and allowances mentioned in the Section 33 of Resolution No. 10727 shall be paid within fifteen (15) days from the date of election. Any person who makes or causes delay in the payment of honoraria and allowances due to persons who rendered election-related service beyond fifteen (15) days from the date of election shall be liable for an election offense. Sec. 32. Other Benefits, Legal Indemnification Package. — Persons rendering election-related service shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 36 of Resolution No. 10727, as well as legal indemnification package for any administrative, civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding, by reason of or on the occasion of the performance of their functions or duties as such, as provided for in Sections 37 of the said Resolution, in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP50,000.00) for each claimant. Sec. 33. Committee on Claims and Assessment. — Claims for other benefits and legal indemnification package shall be filed with the Committee on Claims and Assessment (CCA) through the EO, The CCA shall be composed mainly of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Law Department, Personnel Department and FSD. Sec. 34, Legal Assistance, Lawyer's Fees, Legal Costs and Other Reasonable Expenses. ~ A person who rendered election-related service is hereby authorized to engage the services of a government or private lawyer immediately upon receipt of a notice that a civil or criminal action, suit of administrative proceeding relating to any election service has been filed against said person. The provisions of Resolution No. 10727, particularly Sections 41, 42, 43 and 44 thereof, are adapted in this Resolution. Sec. 35. Official Watchers of Candidates, Political Parties and Other Groups. — Each candidate, duly registered political party or coalition of Political parties, associations or organizations participating in the Party-List 4System, and the duly accredited citizens’ arms, may appoint in every polling place two (2) watchers who shall serve alternately. Other civic, religious, professional, business, service, youth and any other similar organizations, with prior authority of the Commission shall be entitled collectively be entitled to one (1) watcher. If the space in the polling place reserved for watchers is insufficient, preference shall be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority parties, as determined by the Commission. Watchers of the citizens’ arm shall be given preferential position closest to the EB, The qualifications, rights and duties of watchers laid down in Sections 46 and 47 of Resolution No. 10727? shall be applicable in this resolution. Sec. 36. Voters’ Assistance Desk (VAD). — To avoid gathering, crowding and huddling around the Precinct Computerized Voters List (PCVL), there shall be in each voting center, a Voters’ Assistance Desk (VAD), manned by the PPCRV or in its absence, any accredited citizens’ arm under the supervision and control of the DESO. The VAD shall assist the voters in ascertaining their precinct number, sequence number and direction to their polling place. In the event that there is no available accredited citizens’ arm to man the VAD, the EO may enter into a MOA with a non-partisan NGO, CSO, or other organizations available in their respective areas of responsibility to man the VAD. Sec. 37. Election Forms, Documents and Supplies. — A. Verification of forms, documents and supplies before the treasurer. - Within five (5) days before the day of the elections, the treasurer shall notify the EBs that the forms, documents and supplies have been delivered to the Municipal Treasurer's Office and is ready for verification for completeness. For this purpose, a duly designated member of the EB shall verify the forms, documents and supplies assigned to their polling place. B.Distribution of official ballots, forms and supplies.—The Municipal Treasurer shall, in coordination with the respective EO, distribute the forms and supplies to a duly designated member of the EB not earlier than the first hour of Election Day, unless an earlier date is provided by the Commission. 1. From the City/Municipal Treasurer: “General Instructions for the Constitution, Composition and Appointment of Electoral Boards: the Process of Final Testing and Sealing of the Vote Counting Machines; and the Voting, Counting and Transmission of Election Results {in Connection with the 09 May 2022 National and Local Elections, dated November 10, 2021 15ELECTION FORMS A3__| Poster Indcating Precinct Number 1 | piece | Official Batons 7 | piebe per redistered voter | Election Retums 7 | sat ~ Chairperson SBOC Posting ~ Congress = COMELEC. Dominant Majority Dominant Minority - Giizen's Arm Ballot Box 10 | Tally Board 7 | sat T1 | Minutes of Ving and Counting Votes 7 | sat of copies At2 | Peper Seats 34 | Pieces 13 | Certicate of Votes 10 | Copies ‘Ad | Catiicats of Receipt of Oficial Ballots, Other Forms and | 9 | Pienos ‘Supplies by the Electoral Board 427 _| Official Receipt of Election Retums 10 | Pieces ENVELOPE FOR VOTING AND COUNTING OF VOTES TB | Envelope for Official Balots, Counted Oficial Balots 17 s2tot7 pieces Exoass, Marked, Spoiled, Tom Half of Unused Official Ballots, Other Ha of Tom of Oficial Ballots TT. 1-A,_| Envelope for Election Retums T | set ofa pieces 17-8, 17- | - Chairperson SOC + Posting - Congress, = CONELEC Dominant Majority Dominant Minoity + Citizen's Am - Ballot Box 18-615: | Envelope Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes 1 | set of2 pisces 19.419.4 | Envelope for Key f Padlock 2 | Piece BIR Forms 9 | Preces ‘OTHER FORMS ‘RBOIAST | Temporary Appoiniment of Electoral Boerd 10 | Pieces: 738 | Oath of Voter Challenged Tor Megat Acts 10 | Pieces: 40 | Oath of identication of Challenged Voter 70 | Preces: SUPPLIES Ballpen 12 | Pieces Rubber band 10 | Pieoes | Bond Paper 10 | Pieces Carbon paper 10 | Sheets Packaging Tepe 1 | Piece 16‘ThumbprintFingerprint Taker 1 | Piece Permanent Marker (Black) 1 | Piece a4 Plastic Security Seal 3 | Pieces CComelec Padlock with key 2 | Pieces Indelibe Stain ink 2 | Bottes Ballot Secrecy Folder 12 | Pieces Ballot Box (metal) 1 | Unit The duly authorized member of the EB shall carefully check the correctness and quantity of the election forms, documents and supplies actually received. Said member shall sign the Certificate of Receipt }) in three (3) copies to be distributed as follows: a. The original shall be delivered to the City/Municipal Treasurer, who shall transmit the same to the EO, for submission to the Election Records and Statistics Department, Commission, Manila, immediately after Election Day; b.The second copy shall be given to the City/Municipal ‘Treasurer who shall keep the same for his/her file; and c. The third copy shall be retained by the EB who shall also keep the same for his/her own file. 2, From the Election Officer: a, Two copies of the Precinct Computerized Voters List (PCVL) duly certified by the ERB: a.1 One (1) copy to be posted outside the polling place; and a.2 One (1) copy to be used by the EB during the voting; b. The Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL) duly certified by the ERB; and c. Copies of Appointment and Oath of Office of the EB and Support Staff (CEF No. AS & CEF No. AS-A). C, Requests for early distribution. - The Provincial Election Supervisor of North Cotabato is hereby authorized to approve requests for early delivery/distribution of forms and supplies, subject to the following conditions: 7e . That there is considerable distance between the Office of the Municipal Treasurer and the location of the polling place; nv . That there is lack or difficulty of means of transportation in the area; w . That the total number of precincts in the municipality is such that if the delivery of the official ballots, election returns, other forms and paraphernalia is done early in the morning of election day, not all the EBs may be able to receive said documents and paraphernalia in time for the opening of polls at 6:00 a.m. of election day; or a . That the peace and order conditions in the area justify such advance delivery in order to ensure the security of the forms, documents and paraphernalia, and safety of the members of the EBs, The PES of North Cotabato shall submit the list of approved requests for early delivery/distribution of forms and supplies to the Regional Election Directors of BARMM and Region XII, copy furnished the ODEDO. Sec. 38. Forms to be Reproduced when Needed. - The following forms may be reproduced when needed: a.Temporary Appointment of Chairperson/Poll Clerk/ Member (Annex "D’); b.Certificate of Challenge or Protest and Decision of the EB (Annex "E"); c, Oath of Voter Challenged for Illegal Acts (Annex “F”); and d.Oath to Identify a Challenged Voter (Annex “G”). ‘SEC. 39. Preliminaries to the voting. - The EB shall meet at the polling place a six o'clock in the morning of election day, and do the following: 1, See to it that it has all the election forms, documents, and election and health supplies needed; 2. Disinfect/Sanitize, by spraying with alcohol/disinfecting solution, the polling place work areas and fixtures, most specially frequently handled objects such as door knobs and handles, tables and chairs, election supplies/paraphernalia and other equipment that will be used during the voting in the polling place, except accountable & non-accountable forms and all other election supplies/paraphernalia that are made of paper; 183. Install a foot bath at the entrance of the polling place, the use of which shall be compliant to manufacturer's instructions; 4. Install a hand sanitation station beside or near the door of the polling place; 5. Strategically arrange the chairs and tables to be used inside the polling place in such a way that they are at least one (1) meter away/apart from each other; 6. Post at the door of the polling place a clear and visible sign showing "PERSONS NOT PROPERLY WEARING FACE MASKS SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE"; 7. Post one (1) copy of the PCVL at the door of the polling place; 8. Post the Poster Indicating the Precinct Number and Location of Polling Place (CE Form No. 3) near or at the door of the polling place). 9. Before the voting begins, the Chairperson of the EB shall: (1) open the ballot box, empty both of its compartments, exhibit them to all those present and, being empty, lock its interior cover with one (1) padlock. The Poll Clerk shall keep the key to the padlock during the voting; and (2) show to the public and to the watchers present the package of Official Ballots. Enter in the Minutes the number of pads and the serial numbers of the ballots in each pad, and the fact that the package of ballots was shown to the public; 10. The interior cover of the ballot box shall remain locked until the voting is finished and the counting begins. However, if it should become necessary to make room for more ballots, the Chairperson, may, in the presence of the members and watchers, unlock the padlock, open the interior covers of the box, press down the ballots contained therein without removing any of them, after which the Chairperson shall again close the interior cover of the ballot box and lock it with the padlock. Such fact shall be recorded in the Minutes. ‘SEC. 40, Persons allowed inside the polling place. - During the voting, no person shall be allowed inside the polling place, except: 1. Members of the EB and support staff, if any; 2. Watchers who shall stay only in the space reserved for them; 3. Representatives of the Commission;4. Voters casting their votes and their assistors, if any; 5. Voters waiting for their turn to vote; 6. Jail/Prison Escorts, escorting PDL voters; or 7. Other persons who may be specifically authorized by the Commission, SEC. 41. Persons not allowed in and around the polling place. - Unless specifically authorized by the Commission, it is unlawful for the following Persons to enter any polling place, or to stay within a radius of fifty (50) meters from the polling place, except to vote: 1. Any officer or member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); N . Any peace officer or armed person belonging to any extra-legal police agency, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces, Civilian Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGUs), Barangay Tanods, or other similar forces or para military forces, including special forces, security guards, and special policemen; w . All other kinds of armed or unarmed extra-legal police forces; and 4. Any barangay and SK official, whether elected or appointed. However, the EB may, by majority vote, if it deems necessary, order in writing, the detail of a PNP or AFP personnel for their protection or for the protection of the election documents and paraphernalia, In such a case, the said PNP or AFP personnel shall, stay outside the polling place within a radius of thirty (30) meters near enough to be easily called by the EB at any time, but never at the door, and in no case shall the said policemen or peace officer hold any Conversation with any voter or disturb or prevent or in any manner obstruct the free access of the voters to the polling place. Such order shall be entered in the Minutes. Sec. 42. Holding Area. — The EB, whenever necessary, in coordination with the DESO, may designate an adjacent room — with ample space and accessible to wheelchair users, if available, to be used as holding area. The holding area shall be used by the voters waiting for their turn to vote. The voters shall sit and arrange themselves on a first-come, first-served basis, such that they will vote according to the sequence of their arrival. Giving numbers to the voters to determine their sequence of voting is strictly prohibited. Voters in the holding area shall be assisted by EB support staff. 20SEC. 43. Order of voting. - The voters shall vote in the order of their arrival in the polling place. While waiting for their turn to vote, the voters shall be accommodated at the holding area, if available. The voters, who are properly wearing their face mask, have sanitized both of their hands with alcohol at the installed sanitation stations in the polling place, shall have the right to freely enter the polling place as soon as they arrive unless there are already ten (10) voters inside, in which case, they shall wait outside the polling place, form a line in the order of their arrival, observe the one (1) meter physical distancing, and wait for their turn to enter. In all cases, there shall be a maximum of ten (10) voters inside the polling place, voting simultaneously, depending on the area of the polling place, with seats reserved for SC, PWD and HPW. Sec. 44. Manner of Obtaining the special manual ballots. — a) The voters shall: 1.Observe minimum public health protocols such as wearing of face mask, minimum of one-meter physical distancing, and such other health protocols that may hereafter be issued; 2,Upon entering the voting center proceed to the designated Voter’s Assistance Desk to secure the precinct and sequence numbers and assigned clustered precinct; 3.Proceed to the assigned clustered precinct and approach any member of the Electoral Board (EB) or its Support Staff, and state their names, precinct number, and sequence numbers; and 4.Sanitize both hands with alcohol at the sanitation station in the polling place and shall enter the polling place unless there are already ten (10) voters inside, in which case, they shall wait in the holding area, if there is one, or outside the polling place, form a line in the order of their arrival, observe one (1) meter physical distancing, and wait for their turn to enter. b) The Poll Clerk shall: 1. Verify if the name of the voter is in the EDCVL to establish that the voter is assigned in that polling place. If the voter’s name is not in the EDCVL, the voter shall not be allowed to vote, and shall be requested to leave the polling place. 2. If the voter’s name is found in the EDCVL, check, without touching the voter, the fingernails, for any indelible ink stain. If stained, it shall be a conclusive presumption that the voter has already cast his/her vote. As such, the voter shall be directed to leave the polling place after informing him/her the reason thereof. This fact, 2including the name and the precinct of the voter, shall be recorded by the Poll Clerk in the Minutes; 3. If the fingernail is not stained, establish the identity of the voter through the following: i, Voter's photograph or specimen signature in the EDCVL. In case the identity of the voter cannot be determined with certainty in the EDCVL, the EB may require the voter to present any valid identification document, except barangay certificate or community tax certificate; or fi, In the absence of any of the above-mentioned proof of identity, any member of the EB or any registered voter of the precinct/clustered precinct may identify under oath the voter, and such fact shall be reflected in the Minutes. 4, If satisfied with the voter's identity, the name of the voter shall be distinctly announced in a tone loud enough to be heard throughout the polling place. If not satisfied with his/her identity, the voter shall be directed to leave the polling place after informing him/her of the reason therefor. 5. If the voter is not challenged or having been challenged, the question has been decided in his/her favor, require the voter to sign in the EDCVL. In case of illiterate voters or PWDs who cannot sign, require said voters to affix their thumbmarks in the EDCVL. 6. Thereafter, the voter shall be directed to the Chairperson who shall: i. Authenticate the ballot by affixing his/her signature at the back of the ballot; Failure to authenticate the ballot shall not invalidate the ballot but shall constitute an election offense. ii. Show to the voter that the ballot being given is not torn or ‘smudged, and has not yet been filled-out; ii, Fold the ballot in such a manner that its face, except the portion where the serial number appears is covered; iv. Place such ballot inside the ballot secrecy folder; v. Give the ballot secrecy folder containing the ballot and the writing pen to the voter with the instruction that the ballot shall be kept clean and free from unnecessary markings(ie., smudge/stain from thumbprint-taker, food stains, and the like);vi. Instruct the voter how to fillout the ballot properly; and vii. Direct the voter to fill-out the ballot in the designated voting area. Only the Chairperson shall issue the official ballots, and not more than one ballot shall be issued at one time. Sec. 45. Manner of accomplishing the ballot. - The voter shall, upon receiving the ballot, proceed to one of the empty voting booths, which are strategically positioned at least one (1) meter apart, and shall, accomplish the ballot by writing in the corresponding spaces the names of the individual national candidates he/she is voting for as appearing in the Certified List of Candidates. Sec, 46, Prohibition on Voting. — It shall be unlawful for a voter to: a. Bring the ballot or ballot secrecy folder outside of the polling place; b. Speak with anyone other than persons provided in this General Instruction while inside the polling place; 9 . Prepare the voter's ballot without using the ballot secrecy folder, or to exhibit its contents; a |, Fill out the voter's ballot accompanied by another, except in the case of voting by assistor; © . Erase any printing from the ballot, or put any distinguishing mark on the ballot; f. Use of capturing devices such as but not limited to digital cameras, cellular phones with camera, or other means to copy the contents of the ballot, or otherwise make use of any other scheme to identify his vote; g. Intentionally tear or deface the ballot; or h. Disrupt or intentionally disrupt the voting, Sec. 47. Accomplishment of ballots for illiterate, persons with disabilities (PWDs) or Senior Citizens (SCs). — Illiterates, PWDs, or SCs who cannot by themselves accomplish the ballot may vote with the assistance of the following: a. A relative within the fourth (4°) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity; or b. If the illiterate, PWD or SC has none, a person of the voter's confidence who belongs to the same household. For this purpose, the 23person who usually assists the PWD or SCs, such as personal assistant, Caregiver, or a nurse shall be considered as a member of the voter's household. All assistors must be of voting age, and must also comply with the anti- COVID measures as provided for in this resolution, No person, except the members of the EB, may assist illiterate, PWD or SC voters, more than three (3) times. In all cases, the Poll Clerk shall verify from the illiterate, PWD or SC voter whether such voter has authorized the assistor to assist in accomplishing the voter's ballot. The assistor shall accomplish the ballot using a ballot secrecy folder, and in the presence of the illiterate, PWD or SC voter being assisted. The assistor shall be bound in writing and under oath to accomplish the ballot strictly in accordance with the instruction of the voter, and not to reveal the contents of the ballot, by affixing signature on the appropriate space in the Minutes. No voter shall be allowed to vote as illiterate or PWD unless it is so indicated in the EDCVL, unless in the case of a PWD, when the disability is apparent. Sec. 48. Express lane for PWDs, SCs or heavily pregnant women. — PWDs, SCs or heavily pregnant women shall always be given priority or preference in the order of voting. Sec. 49. Spoiled ballots. - If a voter accidentally spoils or defaces a ballot in such a way that it can no longer be lawfully used, the voter shall surrender the ballot folded to the chairperson who shall write the word "spoiled" in the space above the ballot serial number portion of the EDCVL. The spoiled ballot shall, without being unfolded and without removing the detachable coupon, be distinctly marked with the word "spoiled" and signed by the Chairperson of the EB at the back thereof and immediately placed in the compartment of the ballot box for spoiled ballots. The voter shall then be given another ballot duly authenticated by the Chairperson after announcing the serial number of the second ballot and recording said serial number above the word "spoiled". If the second ballot is again spoiled or defaced in such a way that it can no longer be lawfully used, the same shall be surrendered correctly folded to the Chairperson in the same manner as the first spoiled or defaced ballot. In no case shall a voter be allowed to replace his/her ballot more than once. However, in cases of spoiled ballots under paragraphs (e), (F) and (h) of Section 46 herein, the voter shall not be issued another ballot. 24Sec. 50. Procedure after voting. - (a) After accomplishing the ballot, the voter shall fold it in the same manner as it was received; b. In the presence of all the members of the EB, the voter shall, without unfolding the ballot and observing the one (1) meter physical/social distancing protocol, return the folded ballot to the Chairperson; c Return the ballot secrecy folder and the writing pen to the EB third member; a |, The Chairperson, in the presence of all the members of the EB, without unfolding the ballot and seeing its contents, shall verify whether the ballot returned by the voter is the same ballot issued to the voter, by comparing the serial number of the ballot that was returned against the serial number of the ballot issued to the voter as earlier recorded in the EDCVL; . If the serial number of the ballot returned by the voter is not the same as the serial number of the ballot issued to the voter, the ballot shall be considered spoiled. The spoiled ballot shall, without being unfolded, and without removing the detachable coupon be distinctly marked with the word "spoiled" and signed by the Chairperson of the EB at the back of thereof and immediately placed in the compartment for spoiled ballots. The incident shall be recorded in the Minutes. 2 » If the ballot returned to the Chairperson, the detachable coupon of which was not removed in the presence of the EB and of the voter, shall be considered as "spoiled" and so marked, signed and recorded as spoiled in the manner provided in the immediately preceding paragraph. ). If the serial number of the ballot that was returned by the voter is the same as that recorded in the EDVCL, the Poll Clerk shall require the voter to put his thumbmark in the corresponding space in the ballot coupon; ° = |. The Chairperson, after finding everything to be in order, without touching the voter, shall apply the indelible ink at the base and extending to the cuticle of the right forefinger of the voter, or at the base of any other fingernail if there is no forefinger. If the voter refuses to be stained, the Chairperson shall inform the voter that the refusal shall render the ballot "spoiled". If, despite being informed that the ballot shall be rendered "spoiled, the voter still refuses to be stained, the ballot shall be considered spoiled, and so marked, signed and recorded as in paragraph (d) hereof; i, The Chairperson shall detach the ballot coupon in the presence of the other members of the EB, watchers and the voter, and deposit the same in the ballot box compartment for spoiled ballot. The Chairperson shallthen return the ballot to the voter, who shall deposit the folded ballot in the ballot box compartment for valid ballot; j. The voter shall then leave the polling place; and k, A member of the Electoral Board shall be assigned to disinfect the chair, pen and other paraphernalia after use by every voter. Sec. 51. Closing of voting. - At the end of the voting hours on election day, the Chairperson of the EB, in the presence of the other members of the EB, shall record in the Minutes the quantity of unused ballots, together with serial numbers; thereafter tear the unused ballots half lengthwise, put one half in the envelope for the purpose (CEF 16-A), and submit to the EO for safekeeping; put the other half in another envelope for the purpose (CEF 16-B) and deposit the envelope inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots. The fact of tearing in half the unused ballots as well as putting one half in an envelope for submission to the EO, and putting the other half in another envelope, and depositing the same inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots, shall also be entered in the Minutes. Sec. 52. Counting of votes to be public and without interruption. - ‘As soon as voting is finished, the EB shall publicly count in the polling place the votes cast and ascertain the results. The EB shall not adjourn or postpone or delay the count, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. At all times, the ballot boxes and all documents shall be within close view of the watchers and the public. Any violation of this Section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with BP 881, as amended. Sec. 53. Preliminaries to the counting of votes. - (a) The Electoral Board shall unlock the padlock, open the interior covers of the box, take out the ballots from the compartment for valid ballots, and proceed to examine the ballots to determine whether there are: 1, Excess ballots. - The Electoral Boardshall, without unfolding the ballots or exposing their contents, count the number of ballots in the compartment for valid ballots, and compare the number of ballots inside the ballot box with the number of voters who actually voted as reflected in the EDCVL. If there are more ballots than there are voters who actually voted, all the ballots shall be returned to the compartment for valid ballots and thoroughly mixed therein. The Poll Clerk, without seeing the ballots and with his back to the ballot box, shall publicly draw out as many ballots as may be equal to the excess and, without unfolding them, place them in the Envelope for Excess Ballots. 26If, in the course of examination, ballots are found folded together before they were deposited in the box, they shall be placed in the Envelope for Excess Ballots. 2. Ballots with detachable coupons. - In case a ballot with undetached coupon is found in the ballot box, the coupon shall be removed and deposited in the compartment for spoiled ballots. The ballot shall be included in the pile of valid ballots. 3. Ballots with the word “spoiled”. - If a ballot with the word "spoiled" should be found in the compartment for valid ballots, it shall be placed in the corresponding Envelope for Spoiled Ballots. (b) The Electoral Board shall then unfold the ballots and determine whether there are any marked ballots. If any should be found, they shall be placed in an envelope for Marked Ballots which shall be sealed and signed by the Electoral Board and placed in the compartment for valid ballots. The marked ballots shall not be counted. A majority of the members of the Electoral Boardshall be sufficient to determine whether any ballot is marked or not. Non-official ballots which the Electoral Board may find, except those which have been used as emergency ballots, shall be considered as marked ballots. Sec. 54. Ballots deposited in the compartment for spoiled ballots. ~ The ballots deposited in the compartment for spoiled ballots shall be presumed to be spoiled, whether or not they contain such notation. However, if during the voting any valid ballot as erroneously deposited in this compartment, the EB shall open said compartment after the voting and before the counting of votes for the sole purpose of drawing out the ballots erroneously deposited therein. The valid ballots so withdrawn shall be mixed with the other valid ballots. Such facts shall be recorded in the Minutes. Sec. 55. Manner of counting of votes. - The EB shall unfold the ballots and form separate piles of one hundred (100) ballots each held together by rubber bands. The Chairperson of the EB shall take the ballots of the first pile one by one and read what was voted. The EB shall rearrange the physical set-up of the polling place for the counting or perform any other activity with respect to the transition from voting to counting, but it may do so only in the presence of watchers, and within close view of the public. In arranging the physical set-up of the polling place, the members of the EB shall make sure that the watchers can read the ballots, while observing the one (1) meter physical/social distancing protocol, In no case shall the total number of people inside the polling place exceed fifty percent (50%) of its capacity. The "No Face Mask, No Entry” policy shall be strictly enforced, In reading the official ballot during the counting, the Chairperson, Poll Clerk and Third Member shall assume such position as to provide the watchers 27and the members of the public as may be conveniently accommodated in the polling place, an unimpeded view of the ballot being read by the Chairperson, as well as of the election returns and tally board being simultaneously accomplished by the Poll Clerk and the Third Member, respectively. The table shall be cleared of all unnecessary writing paraphernalia. The Poll Clerk shall take hold of the election returns and the Third Member shall place the tally board on the blackboard or any available space within the plain view of the EB, watchers and the public. The Poll Clerk and the Third Member shall record simultaneously in the election returns and in the tally board, respectively, each vote as it is read, Each vote shall be recorded by a vertical line, except every fifth vote which shall be recorded by a diagonal line crossing the previous four vertical lines. After finishing the first pile, the EB shall count the tallies for the votes and record the sub-totals in the column immediately after the last tara recorded in the election returns and tally board, respectively. The Poll clerk and the Third Member shall compare the tallies reflected in the election returns and tally board. In case of discrepancy, a recount shall be made. The ballots shall again be grouped together as before the reading. Thereafter, the same procedures shall be followed with the subsequent piles of ballots. After all the ballots for the precinct have been counted, the EB shall: a, Sum up the sub-totals of recorded votes and enter the grand total in words and in figure in the election returns and tally board; s . See to it that the entries in the first copy of the election returns are clearly impressed and reflected properly in the other eight (8) copies; 9 . Sign and affix their thumb marks on the certification portion printed at the bottom of the election returns and tally board; and a . Place the counted ballots in an envelope provided for the purpose, close the envelope with a serially numbered paper seal, sign and deposit, the same in the compartment for valid ballots. The accomplished tally board, certified by the EB, shall also be deposited in the compartment for valid ballots. Sec. 56. Rules for the appreciation of ballots. - In the reading and appreciation of ballots, every ballot shall be presumed to be valid unless there is clear and good reason to justify its rejection. The EB shall observe the following rules, bearing in mind that the object of the election is to obtain the expression of the voters will:. "Where only the first name or surname of a candidate is written, the vote for such candidate is valid, if there is no other candidate with the same first name or surname for the same office; . Where only the first name of a candidate is written on the ballot which when read has a sound similar to the surname of another candidate, the vote shal! be counted in favor of the candidate with such surname. If there are two (2) or more candidates with the same full name, first name or surname and one of them is the incumbent, and on the ballot is written only such full name, first name or surname, the vote shall be counted in favor of the incumbent; . In case the candidate is a woman who uses her maiden or married sumame or both and there is another candidate with the same surname, a ballot bearing only such surname shall be counted in favor of the candidate who is an incumbent; |. When two (2) or more words are written on the same line on the ballot, all of which are the surnames of two (2) or more candidates, the same shall not be counted for any of them unless one is a surname of an incumbent who has served for at least one (1) year, in which case it shall be counted in favor of the latter; When two (2) or more words are written on different lines on the ballot, all of which are surnames of two (2) or more candidates bearing the same surname for an office for which the law authorizes the election of more than one and there are the same number of such surnames written as there are candidates with that surname, the vote shall be counted in favor of all the candidates bearing the surname; . When on the ballot is written a single word which is the first name of a candidate and which is at the same time the surname of his opponent, the vote shall be counted in favor of the latter; . When two (2) words are written on the ballot, one of which is the first name of a candidate and the other is the surname of his opponent, the vote shall not be counted for either one; |. A name or surname incorrectly written which, when read, has a sound similar to the name or surname of a candidate when correctly written shall be counted in favor of such candidate; |. When a name of a candidate appears in a space of the ballot for an office for which he is a candidate and in another space for which he is not a candidate, it shall be counted in his favor for the office for which he is a candidate and the vote for the office for which he is not a candidate shall be considered as stray, except when it is used as a means to identify the voter, in which case, the whole ballot shall be void; 29~ 2 When in a space in the ballot there appears a name of a candidate that is erased and another clearly written, the vote is valid for the latter; The erroneous initial of the first name which accompanies the correct surname of a candidate, the erroneous initial of the surname accompanying the correct first name of a candidate, or the erroneous middle initial of the candidate shall not annul the vote in favor of the latter; . The fact that there exists another person who is not a candidate with the first name or surname of a candidate shall not prevent the adjudication of the vote of the fatter; Ballots which contain prefixes such as "Sir", “Mr.", "Datu", "Don", "Ginoo", "Hon.", "Gob". Or suffixes like "Hijo", "Ir." "Segundo", are valid; . The use of nicknames and appellations of affection and friendship, if accompanied by the first name or surname of the candidate, does not annul such vote, except when they were used as a means to identify the voter, in which case the whole ballot is invalid. Provided, that if the nickname used is unaccompanied by the name or surname of a candidate and it is the one by which he is generally or popularly known in the locality, the name shall be counted in favor of the said candidate for the same office with the same nickname; Any vote containing initials only or which is illegible or which does not sufficiently identify the candidate for whom it is intended shall be considered as a stray vote but shall not invalidate the whole ballot; . If on the ballot is correctly written the first name of a candidate but with a different surname, or the surname of the candidate is correctly written but with a different first name, the vote shall not be counted in favor of any candidate having such first name and/or surname, but the ballot shall be considered valid for other candidates; . Any ballot written with crayon, lead pencil, or ink, wholly or in part, shall be valid; |. Where there are two (2) or more candidates voted for in an office for which the law authorizes the election of only one, the vote shall not be counted in favor of any of them, but this shall not affect the validity of the other votes therein; . If the candidates voted for exceed the number of those to be elected, the ballot is valid, but the votes shall be counted only in favor of the candidates whose names were firstly written by the voter within the spaces provided for said office in the ballot until the authorized number is covered;9 . Any vote in favor of a person who has not filed a certificate of candidacy or in favor of a candidate for an office for which he did not present himself Shall be considered as a stray vote, but it shall not invalidate the whole ballot; . A ballot containing the name of a candidate printed and pasted on a blank space of the ballot or affixed thereto through any mechanical process is totally null and void; < |. Circles, crosses, or lines put on the spaces on which the voter has not voted shall be considered as signs to indicate his desistance from voting and shall not invalidate the ballot; < . Unless it should clearly appear that they have been deliberately put by the voter to serve as identification marks, commas, dots, lines, or hyphens between the first name and surname of a candidate, or in other parts of the ballots, traces of the letter "T", "I", and other similar ones, the first letters or syllables of names which the voter does not continue, the use of two (2) or more kinds of writing and unintentional or accidental flourishes, strokes, or strains, shall not invalidate the ballot; w. Any ballot which clearly appears to have been filled by two (2) distinct persons before it was deposited in the ballot box during the voting is totally null and void; x . Any vote cast in favor of a candidate who has been disqualified by final Judgment shall be considered as stray and shall not be counted but it shall not invalidate the ballot; Ballots wholly written in Arabic in localities where it is of general use are valid. To read them, the board of election tellers may employ an interpreter who shail take an oath that he shall read the votes correctly; < 2, The accidental tearing or perforation of a ballot does not annul it; aa. Failure to remove the detachable coupon from a ballot does not annul such ballot." SEC. 57. Preparation of the election returns. - The EB shall prepare the election returns simultaneously with the counting of votes. The election returns shall be prepared in eight (8) copies. All the members of the EB shall sign the certification printed at the bottom of the election returns and affix their thumb marks on the space provided. Upon completion of the election returns, each copy shall be folded and sealed with a paper seal in such a manner that the copy cannot be unfolded without breaking the seal, accomplish the paper seal, place them in separate envelopes provided for the purpose. 31The EB shall immediately distribute the same under proper receipt, as follows: a. The first copy, to be submitted to the Special Board of Canvassers; b. The second copy, to be posted on a wall within the premises of the counting center; c. The third copy, to the Congress directed to the President of the Senate; d. The fourth copy, to the Commission through the Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD); 2 . The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law; f. The sixth copy,to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law; . The seventh copy, to the PPCRV;and > a . The eighth copy, to be deposited inside the ballot box compartment for valid ballots. The copy of the election returns posted on the wall shall be open for public viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Within the said period of time, any person may view or capture an image of the election returns. After the prescribed period for posting, the Chairpersons-of the EB shall collect the posted election returns and keep the same in their custody. Sec. 58. Alterations and corrections in the election returns. - Any alteration or correction made in the election returns by the Electoral Boardbefore the announcement of the results of the election in the polling place shall be duly initialed by all the members thereof. Sec. 59. Disposition of ballot boxes, keys, election returns and other documents. - Upon the termination of counting of votes and the announcement of results in the precinct, the EB shall: a. Place the following documents inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots: 1. Envelopes containing the: (i) Counted official ballots; (ii) Excess/marked/spoiled and one-half of torn unused official ballots; (iii) Election Returns (copy for the ballot box); and (iv) Minutes of Voting and Counting (copy for the ballot box).2. Tally Board; and 3. Stubs of used official ballots. b. Close the interior covers of the ballot box and seal with plastic security seal, lock the outer cover of the ballot box with the padlock and seal with plastic security seal. The serial number of the plastic security seal shall be recorded in the minutesbefore the same (Minutes) is deposited inside the ballot box. The keys to the padlock shall be placed in a separate envelope which shall be sealed and signed by all members of the Electoral Board, and submitted to the EO. ¢. Deliver the ballot box as well as all documents and supplies, to the Municipal Treasurer of the Municipality which had jurisdiction over the concerned barangay prior to their inclusion in the BARMM, accompanied by the watchers present, if any. In case the ballot box delivered by the Electoral Board is not locked, the Municipal Treasurer shall lock the ballot box, and report such incident to the EO, 2 |. Deliver to the EO of the Municipality which had jurisdiction over concerned barangay prior to their inclusion in the BARMM the following: 1, PCVL and EDCVL; 2; Envelope containing the election returns copy for the Commission on Elections (ERSD); 3. Envelope containing the keys to the ballot box; 4: Envelope containing a copy of the Minutes; 5. Envelope containing the other half of torn unused ballots. Sec. 60. Submission of the Election Results to the Special Board of Canvassers. — With the assistance of the DESO, the Chairperson, or a duly designated member of the EB, shall personally submit the first copy of the election results to the SBOC. Sec. 61. Composition of the Special Board of Canvassers. — A Special Board of Canvasser (SBOC) shall be constituted to be composed of the Regional Election Attorney (REA) of BARMM, or a lawyer designated by the Commission, as Chairperson; a representative of equivalent rank from the Department of Justice (BARMM), as Vice-Chairperson; and a representative, likewise, of equivalent rank from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, as Member-Secretary not later than February 28, 2022.At the canvassing venue, the board of canvassers shall implement and ensure the strict observance of the COVID-19 minimum public health protocols/standards as provided for in this resolution. Sec. 62. Sub-Canvassing Groups. — The SBOC shall constitute one (1) Sub-Canvassing Group (SCG), at three (3) members per group, for every one hundred (100) election returns to be canvassed or a fraction thereof, to assist it in the canvass. Members of the SCG must belong to the agencies of the Special Board of Canvassers holding regular/permanent positions. In no case shall casual employees or employees of the Offices of the City Mayor, Punong Barangays or Sangguniang Bayan be appointed/designated to serve as a member of the SCG. Sec. 63. Notice of Canvass. — For the May 09, 2022 National Elections, the Chairperson of the SBOC shall give notice to its members, all presidential, vice-presidential, senatorial candidates and duly registered political party or coalition of political parties which has nominated national candidates, party-list groups participating under the party-list system or representation, and accredited citizens’ arm of the date, time and place of canvass, at least five (5) days before the day of the election. Sec. 64. Reception and Custody Group. - The SBOC shall also constitute one (1) Reception and Custody Group (RCG), composed of three (3) members, for the reception and safekeeping of election returns. For this purpose, the EOs shall provide the RCG with the Project of Precincts (POP) of the sixty-three (63) barangays involved. The RCG shall maintain a record of election returns of the precincts listed in the POP that have already been submitted, or are yet to be submitted by the Electoral Boards, to the end that the election returns from one (1) clustered precinct is canvassed only once. The RCG shall maintain a record showing the: 1. Time and date of receipt; 2. Corresponding clustered precinct number of the election returns; 3. Serial number of the envelop and paper seal; and 4. Condition of the envelope and paper seal. The RCG shall submit to the EO a list of the clustered precincts, the election returns of which have not yet been submitted to enable the latter to obtain the election returns in accordance with the rules, Employees of the Commission shall be appointed as members of the RCG, In no case shall casual employees or employees of the Offices of the Municipal/City Mayor, Punong Barangays or the Sangguniang Bayan be appointed/designated to serve as a member of the RCG. 34Sec, 65. Audit and Verification Group. — The SBOC shall constitute an Audit and Verification Group, composed of three (3) members. The names of each tabulator and the ER assigned to them for tabulation shall be properly recorded in the Minutes, Employees of the Commission shall be appointed as members of the AVG. In no case shall casual employees or employees of the Offices of the Municipal/City Mayor, Punong Barangays or the Sangguniang Bayan be appointed/designated to serve as a member of the AVG. Sec, 66. Tabulation Group. - The SBOC shall constitute a Tabulation Group, composed of two (2) members, which shall be under its direct supervision and control. The Tabulation Group shall compute the sub-total of the Statement of Votes prepared by the SBOC. The name of each tabulator and the serial number of the Statement of Votes assigned to them for tabulation shall be properly recorded in the minutes of the proceedings. The tabulators shall affix their signatures above their printed names and imprint their thumb marks on the certification portion of the Statement of Votes. For purposes of Sections 61, 62, 64, 65 and 66, the RED of BARMM shall submit a list of the composition of the SBOC, SCG, AVG, TG and RG to the ODEDO, copy furnished Finance and Services Department. Sec. 67. Convening of SBOC. - The SBOC shall convene at 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon of May 09, 2022 in a place designated by the Commission, and proceed with the canvass of the election returns submitted to it by the EBs. It shall not adjourn until the canvass is completed. Sec. 68. Canvassing procedures for the SBOCs. - The SBOC shall comply with the following rules: a. The SBOC, shall, through the RCG, receive the election returns. For this purpose, the RCG shall: 1. Record the following: i, The date and time of receipt of the envelope and the assigned clustered precinct numbers where the envelope came from; ji, The serial number of the envelope; iii, The condition of the envelope; iv. The serial number of the paper seal of the envelope; v. The condition of the paper seal; 35= 9 2. Place all envelopes containing the election returns received by it inside an empty ballot box. When the ballot box is already full or when there are no more election returns to be received, the RCG shall lock the interior cover of the ballot box with a padlock, close the ballot box, wrap the outer lid of the ballot box with packaging tape, and affix their signatures on the tape extending to the part of the ballot box. 3. Submit the locked ballot box to the SBOC together with the list of clustered precinct numbers of the election returns contained therein. For this purpose, the RCG shall maintain a record of the election returns submitted to the SBOC. Upon receipt of the ballot box containing the election returns, the SBOC shall examine the condition of the ballot box and its lock/seal. The Secretary shall record in the minutes the condition and serial numbers of the ballot box and the plastic security seal, as the case may be. . The SBOC shall open the ballot box to ascertain that the clustered precinct numbers indicated in the envelopes being retrieved correspond to the list submitted by the RCG. The Secretary shall record in its minutes the quantity of envelopes received and their condition and serial numbers; the condition and serial numbers of the paper seal and the corresponding clustered precinct numbers of the election returns. The SBOC shall then assign the envelopes to a Sub-Canvassing Group (SCG) for canvass. For the purpose, the SBOC shall provide the SCG with a Statement of Votes by Precinct (SOVP). The Secretary shall record in the Minutes the particular SCG to which the envelopes were assigned and the serial numbers of the SOVP issued to the SCG. . Before opening each envelope, the SCG shall show the envelope to the counsel and watchers present, record the condition of the envelope and its serial number as well as the condition of and serial number of the paper seal; The SCGs shall then break the paper seal of the envelope, retrieve the election returns, record in its Minutes the condition and serial number of the paper seal attached to the returns, break the seal, record the condition and serial number of the election returns, unfold the election returns, and show the election returns to those present. i, If there are objections to the inclusion of the election returns, the SCGs shall refer the matter to the SBOC, which shall immediately decide on the objection. If the decision is to include the election returns, the SBOC shall return the election returns to the SCGs concerned. If the decision is to not include the election returns, the SBOC shalll prepare a separate tally and place the contested election 36returns inside the ballot box. The board shall maintain the separate tally to await the other contested election returns, if any. ii, If there is no obj in in he ‘ion returns in thé Inve r_if_the objectic n_resolved _in_favor of inclusion, the SCG shall proceed to canvass the election returns by recording in the SOVP the votes obtained as they are read. In accomplishing the SOVP, the chairperson of the SCG shall divide the copies of the SOVP between the SCG-vice-chairperson and the secretary. The vice-chairperson shall have two (2) copies and the secretary shall have one (1) copy or the vice-chairperson may have one (1) copy and the secretary may have two (2) copies. For purposes of preparing the SOVP, the following terms shall mean: + Sub-total - Sum of all votes when all the columns of a set of Statement of Votes are filled. The subtotal shall be recorded in the last column indicated in the Statement ofVotes; + Page partial total - Sum of all votes in a set of Statement of Votes when some columns are not filled at the time of adjournment. This shall be recorded on the box immediately after the last entry of votes at the time of adjournment/suspension of canvass. When all election returns have been canvassed and the columns of the Statement of Votes are not filled, the page partial total shall be considered as the sub-total; + Provisional total - Accumulated total of all votes appearing in all accomplished sets of Statement of Votes at the time of adjournment, for the purpose of releasing results to the media and other interested parties; « Summary of Statement of Votes (SSOV) - Listing of all sub- totals reflected in each set of Statements of Votes shall be recorded in the Summary of Statement of Votes. + Grandtotal - Sum of all sub-totals of votes as listed/recorded in the Summary of Statement of Votes. h. Immediately after the election returns has been canvassed, the SCG Chairperson shall write/mark on the upper right-hand corner of the word "CANVASSED" and affix below it his/her signature, and the date and time of canvass, Thereafter, the election returns shall be returned to its envelope. 37i, After all the columns of the SOVP are filled, or there are no more election returns to be canvassed, the Vice-Chairperson and Secretary of the SCG shall compare the entries contained in their respective copies of SOVP: 1, If.there are discrepancies in the entries, they shall refer to the corresponding election returns and make the necessary corrections ‘on the SOVP. 2. If there are no discrepancies in the entries or the discrepancies in the entries have been corrected, the SCG shall: i. Write their names, in printed form, and sign above their printed names, in the SOVP on the space intended for the SCG. ji, Submit the SOVPs and the envelopes containing the canvassed election returns to the SBOC. 3. Upon receipt of the SOVP, SBOC shall prepare the Summary Statement of Votes (SSOV) entering therein: i, The serial number of the SOVP containing the sub-total; and ii, All the sub-totals ofvotes for each candidate contained in the SOVP; Sec. 69. Certificate of Canvass (COC). — The SBOC shall prepare theCOC in seven (7) copies for distribution as follows: 1. The first copy, with attached copy of the Statement of Votes by Precinct (SOVP)/Summary Statement of Votes (SSOV), to the Congress directed to the President of the Senate for use in the canvass of election results for President and Vice-President; w . The second copy, with attached copy of the SOVP/SSOV, to the Commission En Banc sitting as the National Board of Canvassers for use in the canvass of election results for Senators and Party- list representatives; 3. The third copy, to be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing center; 4. The fourth copy, with attached copy of the SOVP/SSOV, to the Chairperson of the Special Board of Canvassers; 5. The fifth copy, to the PPCRV; and 6. The sixth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law; and 387. The seventh copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law. The copy of the COC posted on the wall shall be open for public viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Any person may view or capture an image of the COC. After the prescribed period of posting, the Chairperson of the SBOC shall collect the posted COC and keep the same in custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by any voter or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority. The copies intended for the Congress and the National Board of Canvassers, shall be personally delivered by the Chairperson of the SBOC. Sec. 70. Material defects in the election returns/certificates of canvass.- If it should clearly appear that some requisite in form or data have been omitted in the election returns/certificates of canvass, the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC)/SBOC shall call the SBOC/electoral board concerned by the most expeditious means, for the same SBOC/electoral board to effect the corrections: Provided, That in case of the omission in the election returns/certificates of votes recorded, the NBOC/SBOC shall require the SBOC/electoral board concerned to complete the necessary data in the election returns/certificates of canvass and affix therein their initials: Provided further, That if the votes omitted in the election returns/certificates of canvass cannot be ascertained by other means except by recounting the ballots, the election returns/certificates of canvass shall be set aside and such fact shall be reported to the Commission which shall proceed as provided in Sec, 234 of the Omnibus Election Code. Sec. 71. When the election returns/certificates of canvass appear to be tampered with or falsified. -If the election returns/certificates of canvass submitted to the SBOC/NBOC appear to be tampered with, altered or falsified after they have left the hands of the SBOC/electoral board concerned or otherwise not authentic, or were prepared under duress, force or intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the members of the electoral board/SBOC, the SBOC/NBOC shall use the other copies of the said election returns/certificates of canvass, and if necessary, the copy of the election returns inside the ballot box which upon previous authority given by the Regional Election Director may be retrieved in accordance with Sec. 220 of. bus Election . If the other copies of the election returns/certificates of canvass are likewise tampered with, falsified, not authentic, prepared under duress, force or intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the members of the electoral board/SBOC, the electoral board/SBOC itself or any person affected shall bring the matter to the attention of the Commission which shall proceed as provided in Sec. 235 of the Omnibus Election Code. Sec. 72. Manifest error. - (a) Where it is clearly shown that manifest errors were committed in the tabulation or tallying of election returns/certificates of canvass during the canvassing, the SBOC may motu proprio, or upon verified 39petition by the proponent or oppositor, after due notice and hearing, correct the errors committed. There is manifest error in the tabulation or tallying of the elections returns/certificates of canvass during the canvassing where: 1. A copy of the election returns/certificate of canvass was tabulated more than once; 2. Two or more copies of the election returns of one (i) clusteredprecinct/certificate of canvass of one (1) barangay were tabulated; 3. There was a mistake in the copying of the figures from the election returns into the SOVP or SSOV; or 4, Election returns from non-existent precincts/certificates of canvass from non-existent barangays of the sixty-three barangays were included in the canvass; and 5. There was a mistake in the addition of the votes. In order to correct manifest errors, the following procedures shall be complied with: a. The order for correction must be in writing and promulgated. b. Any party aggrieved by the said order may appeal the same to the Commission within twenty-four (24) hours from the promulgation, ¢. Once an appeal is made, the SBOC shall wait for the decision of the Commission En Banc. The NBOC shall not make any proclamation, unless the votes are not affected by the appeal. d. The appeal must implead as respondents the SBOC concerned and all parties that may be adversely affected. e, Upon receipt of the appeal, the Clerk of Court of the Commission shall forthwith issue summons together with the copy of the appeal to the respondent. f. The Clerk of Court of the Commission shall immediately set the appeal for hearing. The appeal shall be heard and immediately be decided by the Commission En Banc. Sec. 73. Establishment of an Isolation Polling Place. — There shall be an Isolation Polling (IPP) in every voting center, which shall be set up, as far as practicable, in one of the classrooms that is in @ building separate from the 40other buildings of the voting center, preferably near the entrance, and the health personnel station. If no such room is available, a makeshift/temporary IPP shall be set up outside the voting center, which shall be strategically located near its entrance and the Medical Personnel station. The IPP must have an ample space capable of accommodating, at least (5) voters, the IPP Support Staff and watchers, observing one (1) meter physical distancing at any given time. a Waiting Area. — Votes who are waiting for their turn to vote in the IPP shall be allowed to stay in a waiting area, situated preferably next to it, which can comfortably accommodate at least ten (10) voters, including their assistor, if any, observing the one (1) meter physical distancing. b. Who May Vote at the IPP. - Voters who, upon temperature check at the entrance of the voting center, and who registers a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher, and voters with COVID-19 symptoms, may vote at the IPP. Sec. 74. Isolation Polling Place Support Staff. — The EO shall appoint one (1) IPP Support Staff in every voting center, who shall have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications set forth in this Resolution, The IPP Support Staff shall enjoy the same honoraria of the support staff under this Resolution. Sec. 75. Duties and Functions of IPP Support Staff. — The IPP Support Staff shall perform the same duties and functions as that of an EAPP support staff provided in Resolution No. 10727. Sec. 7. COVID 19 Preventive Measures, Health and Safety Protocols during the Conduct of Final Testing and Sealing of VCM, Voting and Counting and Transmission of Election Results. — The following measures and those issued pursuant to the guidelines published by the National Government, IATF-EID/ MEID and Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned, shall be observed at all times in all activities covered by this Resolution, while inside the Voting Center and Polling Place including, but not limited to: . Wearing of face mask; . One-meter physical distancing; . Frequent disinfection of hands; . Frequent disinfection of regularly-touched surfaces; and . Proper cough and sneezing etiquette. PuswN In addition to the foregoing, the provisions of Resolution No. 10727 dated November 10, 2021, particularly Article XIII thereof, shall be observed. 4Sec. 77. Applicability of Other Comelec Rules. - Rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission in connection with the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections are, as far as applicable, hereby adopted, incorporated and made integral parts of this resolution. Sec. 78. Effectivity. - This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7°) day after the completion of its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. SEC. 79. Publication and Dissemination. - Let the Education and Information Department (EID), this Commission, cause the publication of this Resolution in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and the Information and Technology Department (ITD) to cause its publication in the Comelec Website. Let the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operationsimplement this Resolution. SO ORDERED. SOCORRO B. INTING Acting Chairperson MARLON S. CASQUEJO AIMEE P. FEROLINO Commissioner Commissioner REY E. BULAY Commissioner CERTIFICATION APPROVED by the Commission En Banc during its regular online meeting on February 23, 2022, pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10674, “Supplemental Resolution No. 9938 promulgated March 25, 2015, Rule on the Enactment and Promulgation of Executive or Administrative Resolutions providing for other format of meetings to include online meetings applicable in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of Community Quarantines and similar emergency situations.” ATTY. CONSUELO B. DIOLA Acting Comelec Secretary 42