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Republic of the Philippines
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Manila

RESOLUTION No. 8854

IN THE MATTER OF THE CLUSTERING OF VOTING CENTERS IN THE PROVINCES OF BASILAN AND SULU IN CONNECTION WITH THE MAY 10, 2010 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

This pertains to the Memorandum dated April 26, 2010 of Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome J. Sinocruz, Jr. relative to the Memorandum of EBAD Director IV Teopisto E. Elnas, Jr. on the clustering of voting centers in the Provinces of Basilan and Sulu in connection with the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections.

The Memorandum of Director Sinocruz reads:

"Enclosed is the memorandum, dated 26 April 2010, of Atty. Teopisto E. Elnas, Jr., Director IV, Election and [Barangay Affairs Department] submitting the proposed clustering of voting centers in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan. Director Elnas states that the proposed clustering of voting centers in said provinces was arrived at after a conference with AFP, PNP, candidates or their representatives and Election Officers concerned last 20 and 21 April 2010.

In essence, Director Elnas recommended the clustering of polling centers in certain areas.

Clustering of polling centers gives rise to the possibility of voters being disenfranchised because you are moving polling centers away from the voters using it. But this effect can be mitigated or avoided if there is some measure by which the affected voters are able to vote like providing vehicle to [ferry] them from their barangays to the new polling center.

For consideration."

After due deliberation, the Commission RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to approve the foregoing recommendation of EBAD Director IV Teopisto E. Elnas, Jr. for the clustering of voting centers in the Provinces of Basilan and Sulu in connection with the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections, as detailed in his attached Memoranda forming integral part hereof consisting of five (5) pages for the Province of Basilan and fourteen (14) pages for the Province of Sulu, respectively. Provided, That, there is some measure to be undertaken by the Election Officers concerned by which the affected voters are able to vote like providing vehicle to ferry them from their barangays to the new polling center.

Let the Election and Barangay Affairs Department implement this resolution.

SO ORDERED.

(Sgd.)JOSE A.R. MELO
Chairman

(Sgd.)RENE V. SARMIENTO Commissioner	(Sgd.)NICODEMO T. FERRER Commissioner
(Sgd.)LUCENITO N. TAGLE Commissioner	(Sgd.)ARMANDO C. VELASCO Commissioner
(Sgd.)ELIAS R. YUSOPH Commissioner	(Sgd.)GREGORIO Y. LARRAZABAL Commissioner

Source: www.comelec.gov.ph The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

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