Namfrel, CBCP agree to launch joint quick count

Poll watchdog National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace (Nassa) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have resolved their differences and agreed to jointly conduct a quick count for the May 14 mid-term elections. Chairman Benjamin Abalos of the Commission on Election said the agreement was made in a meeting Wednesday at the commission’s Manila office. "There would a cooperation between Nassa and Namfrel for a quick count," Abalos told reporters. Abalos added that the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) will also help Nassa in the poll watching tasks. Comelec had asked Namfrel, PPCRV and Nassa to discuss the possibility of conducting joint quick count. Nassa, the social arm of the CBCP, has filed for an accreditation for quick count but the application is still pending with the Comelec, Abalos said. Abalos explained that the Comelec is only mandated to accredit one organization to conduct a quick count because of the limited number of election returns. “Remember we could only accredit one NGO for a quick count and there is only one copy of election return intended for this," he added. Abalos said Nassa’s petition is awaiting resolution while Namfrel’s motion is still pending following an opposition filed by election lawyer Sixto Brillantes.- GMANews.TV