DILG issues memo on detainee-voters

 CEBU, Philippines - All local chief executives are directed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to observe and ensure complete implementation of the rules and regulations on detainee registration and voting as contained in COMELEC Resolution No. 9371.

 Prisoners are once again encouraged to vote in the May 13, 2013 local and national elections. 

 Memorandum Circular No. 2012-66 which was disseminated to all DILG regional directors and signed by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo states that there will be a satellite registration inside the jails.

 COMELEC Resolution No. 9371 issued on March 6, 2012 entitled Rules and Regulation on Detainee Registration and Voting in connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local elections provides for the adoption of the six months residency rule.

 This means that prisoners who have been in jail for six months and who are 18 years old and older on the day of the elections may register and vote.

 In the Comelec resolution, even with less than 10 qualified applicants, there should be registration.

 In the case of Cebu City which has two districts, a registration shall be conducted by all COMELEC districts within the city even if the jail is located in one district only.

 The resolution also provides the establishment of special polling places in the jails. With 50 to 100 qualified detainee voters, there should be one polling place as stipulated in the resolution. In cases where there are more than 500 qualified voters, one special polling place shall be put up for every additional 100 qualified detainee voters. The polling place should be spacious enough to accommodate more than 10 voters at a given time to ensure that voting is completed.

 There are new mechanisms for registration. Detainees who entered jail after the registration period shall be included in the counting provided they are registered as voters in the municipality where the jail is located and are in the custody of the jail on the first day of March of the election year.

 Candidates are allowed to campaign inside the jails provided they are subject to the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the COMELEC.

Cebu City Comelec election officer Marchel Sarno said that he is still looking for the dates as to when will be the registration inside the city jail. (FREEMAN)