PPCRV is Comelec's official citizens' arm for 2013 polls

MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic Church-based poll watchdog got an accreditation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be its citizens' arm for next year's mid-term elections.

In its website, the Comelec said it has granted accreditation to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

Based on a resolution, the poll body said the PPCRV has “established its track record as one of the Commission’s staunch allies in ensuring clean, orderly, peaceful and honest elections.”

“The Commission recognizes PPCRV as one of the organizations which has established its membership and structure all over the Philippines and has demonstrated its capacity to promote public interest,” the Comelec added.

With the accreditation, the PPCRV is expected to conduct poll watching in various precincts; provide assistance to the voters on election day most especially to the senior citizens; persons with disabilities; pregnant women; detainees; indigenous peoples and other members of the vulnerable sectors; and to assist the poll body Commission in voters’ information and education drive especially in far-flung areas.

The Comelec, meanwhile, will furnish the PPCRV with the electronic copies of the computerized voters list and the project of precincts.

The PPCRV will also get the fourth copy of the election returns printed by the PCOS machine.

The PPCRV said it has over 650,000 members and volunteers from 3,333 parishes in the country.