MANILA, June 29 (PNA) — As many political parties are gearing up in preparation for the 2016 national and local polls, an election lawyer has warned them that a law prohibits early political convention.
“While there is no premature campaigning, there is such prohibited act of premature political convention,” said Atty. Romulo Macalintal in a statement.
With this, he advised the political organizations to study the provision of the law before holding such activities.
“Political parties planning to hold activities aimed at launching or naming their nominees or probable candidates in the 2016 polls should first review the provisions of the law on premature political conventions,” Macalintal said.
He noted that since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to decide on what system to use in next year’s polls, it has not set specific dates on the holding of political conventions.
Macalintal said if the 2016 polls will be hybrid or with manual voting, the convention could only be held within 30 days before the start of campaign period for local candidates or 45 days for president and vice president as provided under Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code.”
On the other hand, if the poll body chooses to fully automate the elections, the convention could only be held within 30 days before the filing of certificate of candidacy as provided under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9369 or the Automated Election Law.
Violation of the law is considered an election offense penalized by one to six years imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office.
“Thus it would be better for political parties to wait for Comelec’s calendar of activities before they plan orhold such convention which their political rivals could brand as premature political convention,” Macalintal said. (PNA)