Local, international observers welcome in Bangsamoro plebiscite

MANILA, Philippines — Local and international observers are welcome to monitor the conduct of a plebiscite that will ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said in a recent resolution.

Promulgated on Sept. 26, the resolution said the observers would have to go through an accreditation process before they could be allowed to monitor the plebiscite on Jan. 21, 2019.

Interested parties have until Dec. 14 to file their application. 

The Comelec said the observers must be free from any political, economic or other interests that might interfere with the accurate and impartial observation and monitoring of the electoral process.

If approved by the voters, the  law will create the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The observers will be bound by a code of conduct to ensure an impartial and accurate asessment of the plebiscite.

They are not allowed to  express any personal comment or conclusion about the conduct of the monitoring before the election observation mission can issue an official statement.

The observers are not allowed to assist any person or groups in whatever manner related to the conduct of the plebiscite.

They are prohibited from taking part or influencing the conduct of the plebiscite and cannot engage in partisan political activities or make any form of contribution related to the plebiscite.

The observers are not allowed to enter the polling place or talk with the voters.

Violators face imprisonment from one to six years, the Comelec said.