PPCRV named citizen's arm for ARMM polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially accredited the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as the citizen’s arm for the Aug. 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Comelec has authorized PPCRV to conduct voter’s education, perform poll watch functions and carry out a citizen’s count of elections returns from polling precincts.

The Comelec said PPCRV may count election returns as generated from Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) as well as from certificates of canvass in each city or municipality in the legislative districts of ARMM.

With the directive from Comelec, PPCRV is mobilizing 12,500 members within the ARMM to implement its duties and responsibilities as the citizen’s arm of the poll body.

PPCRV is also establishing special network linkages with local Muslim communities to complement the locally functioning PPCRV units.

Among the positions up for grabs in the ARMM include the Regional Governor, Vice Governor and nine Regional District Legislative Assemblymen.

The ARMM is composed of the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Basilan.