‘Hakot’ system allowed during registration – Comelec

MANILA, Philippines - At least for the voters’ registration, the Commission on Elections has no problem with politicians bringing people to local Comelec offices.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the law prohibits the “hakot system” only during election day.

However, Jimenez said they would not allow politicians to demand that the people they bring to register would be given priority.

“Sometimes in their eagerness to ensure that the people they transport will be registered, they end up badgering the Comelec… That is foul. They cannot do that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jimenez said the poll body would accommodate requests for satellite voters’ registration as long as the requirements are met.

There should be at least 200 applicants and the proposed venue for satellite registration is not owned or leased by a public official or his relative up to the fourth civil degree.