Resolution No. 8491 - Article II

ARTICLE II
WATCHERS

SEC. 14. Official watchers of candidates, political parties and other groups. - Each candidate and registered political party or coalition of political parties duly registered with the Commission and fielding candidates in the election, as well as duly accredited citizens' arms may appoint two watchers, to serve alternately, in every polling place. However, candidates to the Regional Legislative Assembly, belonging to the same ticket or slate shall collectively be entitled to one watcher.

Duly accredited citizens arms of the Commission shall be entitled to appoint a watcher in every polling place. Other civil, religious, professional, business, service, youth, and any other similar organizations, with prior authority of the Commission, shall be entitled collectively to appoint one watcher in every polling place.

If, because of limited space, all watchers cannot be accommodated in the polling place, preference shall be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority parties as determined by the Commission and the watcher of the citizens' arm, with the latter being giving preferential position closest to the board.

SEC. 15. Qualifications of watchers. - No person shall be appointed watcher unless he:

1. Is a registered voter of the city or municipality comprising the precinct where he is assigned;
2. Is of good reputation;
3. Has not been convicted by final judgment of any election offense or of any other crime;
4. Knows how to read and write Pilipino, English or any of the prevailing local dialect; and
5. Is not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the chairman or to any other member of the board of election inspectors in the polling place where he seeks appointment as watcher.

SEC. 16. Rights and duties of watchers - Upon entering the polling place, the watchers shall deliver to the chairman of the board their appointments as watchers, and their names shall forthwith be recorded in the Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes (CEF No. 11) with a notation under their signatures that they are not disqualified to serve as such under the immediately preceding section. The appointments of the watchers shall bear the signature of the candidate or duly authorized representative of the party, organization or coalition that appointed them. For this purpose, at least fifteen (15) days before election day, independent candidates, registered parties, organizations, or coalitions authorized by the Commission to appoint watchers shall provide the Election Officers concerned with the names and signatures of their representatives authorized to appoint watchers in the city or municipality.

The watchers shall have the right to:

1. Witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the board;
2. Take note of what they may see or hear;
3. Take photographs of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the counting of votes, as well as of the election returns and ballot boxes;
4. File a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which they believe may have been committed by the board or by any of its members or by any person;
5. Obtain from the board a certificate as to the filing of such protest and the resolution thereof; and
6. Be furnished, upon request, with a certificate of votes cast for the candidates, duly signed and thumb marked by the chairman and all members of the board.

Watchers shall not speak to any member of the board, or to any voter or among themselves, in such a manner as would disturb the proceedings of the board.

The watchers representing the dominant majority and dominant minority parties fielding candidates shall, if available, affix their signatures and thumbmarks in the election returns.