Pollsters reminded: Declare clients

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded survey companies that they are required to report to the poll body any survey commissioned by candidates or political and party-list groups.

Comelec Commissioner Louie Tito Guia said the policy is part of efforts to level the playing field among all parties and candidates. 

The poll body held a public consultation yesterday on the draft implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act.

It said it is eyeing to require “written acceptance of election propaganda and/or political advertisements.”

This means that election propaganda materials donated by any person to a candidate or party “shall not be printed, published or broadcasted or exhibited, unless it is accompanied” by the written acceptance of the candidate or party through the treasurer, Guia said.  

At the same time, the poll body reminded candidates that it has banned the posting of campaign materials in facilities owned and controlled by the government.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim said one of the new policies that the poll body hopes to implement is the use of recyclable materials for campaign materials.