Comelec: Suspects in Maguindanao massacre can vote in 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday that suspects in the Maguindanao massacre could register to vote in the May 2013 midterm polls.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said Resolution No. 9371 provides that a detainee can still exercise his right to vote if he is not yet convicted of a crime.

“Our Comelec resolution provides the answer to the request. They can register in their detention centers,” said Sarmiento.

The resolution states that “detainees, who shall be 18 years of age on the day of election and/or are committed inside the detention centers for at least six months immediately preceding the election day, may be registered as a voter.”

The suspects in the Maguindanao massacre include former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his father, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.

For the first time, the Comelec had allowed detainees to register as voters in 2010 by putting up satellite registration in various detention facilities across the country.

Sarmiento added that those detained for six months or more can list the place where the detention facility is located as his residence and it is where he can register as voter.

Comelec records showed that a total of 21,261 detainees had signed up for the 2010 polls through the satellite registration centers.