NPC files mandamus petition before SC to compel Comelec ‘transparency’

The National Press Club (NPC) on Wednesday filed a mandamus petition before the Supreme Court seeking to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be "transparent" in its conduct of the May elections.

In a 35-page petition, the NPC, Guardians Brotherhood Inc., and Automated Election System Watch said Comelec has proceeded, and is continuously proceeding, to prepare for the elections “in extreme secrecy.”

“Comelec has disturbingly refused, and is continuously refusing, to allow scrutiny of the automated election system that will be used in the 2022 National and Local Elections from the printing of the ballots to the transmittal of the voting results, all in violation of its mandatory and ministerial duty to do so,” it said.

“Comelec’s refusal to be transparent in the conduct of the 2022 National and Local elections will cast doubt on the integrity of the results thereof and will cause political turmoil all to the detriment of the Filipino people,” it added.

Comelec had earlier said that there were no watchers present to observe the printing process of Eleksyon 2022 ballots to limit the spread of COVID-19 infections at the National Printing Office.

The petitioners also seek the issuance of a writ of mandamus commanding Comelec to implement the digital signatures for the upcoming elections.

It also seeks for the SC to order Comelec to disclose the printing of ballots, including the examination of the ballots already printed without observers, deployment of these ballots, the defective ballots among others to political parties, candidates, and accredited media.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Comelec. — BM, GMA News