Namfrel asks Supreme Court to bar poll exec in accreditation meet

The country’s poll watchdog asked the Supreme Court yesterday to stop a Commission on Elections (Comelec) from participating in the deliberation for its accreditation.

In a 47-page petition, the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) told the High Court that Comelec Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco should be ordered to inhibit herself from the poll body’s meeting that would decide on whether it should be allowed to watch over the May 14 elections or not.

Tancangco had consistently refused calls for her not to join in the proceedings. She earlier questioned Namfrel’s accuracy in the counting of the votes and its manner of withholding election data which she said could amount to vote-padding.

She had repeatedly assailed Namfrel’s integrity in conducting so-called quick counts, particularly in the 1987 senatorial elections. She even said that the group "failed to provide an accurate record of voters’ count" in past elections.

Because of this, the Namfrel said Tancangco could no longer render a fair decision on its fate.

"It is undeniable that Tancangco’s report reflects a personal bias against Namfrel’s capacity to conduct efficient quick counts. Thus, her capacity to objectively sit and impartially judge the petition of Namfrel is put in serious doubt," the group said.

Namfrel filed before the Comelec on Jan. 29 an urgent motion to inhibit. It filed a supplemental motion to inhibit with motion to restrain two days ago, yet Tancangco still refused to give in to its request.

Tancangco even asked her fellow Comelec commissioners to consider her published works which imputed inefficiency, inaccuracy, and fraud on Namfrel.

The Namfrel told the Supreme Court that with the elections just 11 weeks away, a quick decision on its accreditation is needed to allow it to adequately prepare for the political exercise and train thousands of volunteers.

"There is no pressing nor urgent need which would justify Tancangco’s decision not to inhibit herself," the group said.