EXPLAINER: Role of citizens' arms in elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited election watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) as its citizens’ arms for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).

This developed after the Comelec en banc approved the recommendation of Chairperson George Erwin Garcia for the continued accreditation of these poll watchdogs.

“The Commission, after due deliberation, resolved, as it hereby resolves, to approve the continuing accreditation of the PPCRV and NAMFREL as citizens' arms in any and all elections, plebiscites, recalls, and referenda,” the Comelec said in a decision released to the media on Thursday.

The election watchdogs were asked to submit a complete list of officers, including their respective provincial, municipal, and city coordinators or their equivalent; a comprehensive or detailed plan of action and activities leading to the 2025 NLE and thereafter; and a report of accomplishments and recommendations after each electoral exercise.

But what exactly are citizens' arms and their role in the elections?

Under Section 52(k) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), the Comelec is allowed to enlist non-partisan groups or organizations of citizens from the civic, youth, professional, educational, business, or labor sectors to assist them in the implementation of the election code.

Groups or organizations that intend to assist in elections were mandated to apply for accreditation. Their application would be resolved by the Comelec en banc.

Once accredited as citizens’ arms, the organizations shall function under the direct and immediate control and supervision of the poll body and shall perform various duties before and on the day of the elections.

Among their tasks are to assist the Comelec in its voter registration drive, ensure the integrity of the voters’ list, and help in voter education and information activities.

They are also mandated to help the Comelec in election preparation, such as planning, procurement, testing, evaluation, ballot printing, and election document printing, among others; provide citizen watchers in polling places; and assist the commission in post-election activities as deemed necessary.

“The designation of any group or organization made in accordance herewith may be revoked by the commission upon notice and hearing whenever, by its actuations, such group or organization has shown partiality to any political party or candidate or has performed acts in excess of or in contravention of the functions and duties herein provided and such others as may be granted by the commission,” the OEC stated.

The Comelec usually accredits organizations for a specific election, but a policy change in September 2022 extended the accreditation of the PPCRV and Namfrel for all plebiscites and elections until 2025.

Church-based PPCRV is currently headed by Evelyn Singson, while Angel Averia Jr. is the national chairperson of NAMFREL.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News