Groups seek random manual audit of party-list votes

A coalition of various sectoral groups led by former Human Rights chair Etta Rosales has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to subject party-list votes in the May 13 elections to random manual audit.

In a media advisory, Rosales said they will submit a formal petition for such action at 9 a.m. on Friday to Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia, the official in charge of the random manual audit system.

Joining Rosales in the petition are  farmers groups, youth organizations, workers unions, and concerned individuals from Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa,  Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, Nuwhrain, Alyansa, Student Council Alliance of the  Philippines, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, among others.

The coalition is also expected to request the Comelec en banc to allow party-list groups to observe in the audit process in the event their petition is granted by the poll body.

Rosales chairs Akbayan party-list, which participated in the recently concluded elections. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News