MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified Sunday that voters are allowed to wear shirts with colors that are identified with candidates on Monday’s polls.
According to Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez they will not stop people from wearing colors that represents certain candidates.
“In terms of clothing, we are okay with any color… what if red suits you? We cannot stop that,” the poll body official
However, he discouraged the public from wearing shirts bearing the image, names, or logos of particular candidates.
“The graphics, texts, please, let us just avoid those so we won’t encounter problems on Election Day,” Jimenez added.
On the other hand, the poll body urged voters to report if there are different groups that are still conducting campaign activities on Election Day.
Jimenez noted that campaign ban is imposed from May 8-9.
“Report them to the police, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and they can be assisted in filing complaints,” he added.
Jimenez said that among the usual “last-minute” campaign activities of candidates include the distribution of sample ballots as well as the posting of campaign posters both happening just outside voting centers on Election Day.
“These are all considered as campaign activities. It is already prohibited to put up posters, give out leaflets and conduct other campaign activities today (Sunday) and Election Day,” he said.
Republic Act 7166 states that the campaign period shall exclude the day before the day of the election while Comelec Resolution No. 9981 provides that the campaign period ends on May 7.
PPCRV is the accredited citizens’ arm of the Comelec in the May 9 polls.