By Genalyn Kabiling (Manila Bulletin)
Local and foreign election watchdogs are welcome in the country but they should abide by rules governing the coverage of the May national and local elections, a Palace official said Monday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the government would not suppress the election observers from reporting the country’s automated polls although it expects them to report fairly.
“The President extended the welcome not only to election observers but to anyone who wishes to observe the electoral process in May. Having said that, these observers must subject themselves to the supervision of Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said in a news conference in the Palace.
“There are certain rules and guidelines that they will have to follow which are set and enforced by Comelec applicable to all observers,” he said.
While the election observers are required to follow Comelec guidelines on poll coverage, Olivar said the government would “not censor” their reports “otherwise the point of the whole exercise is lost.”
“We trust that they will report fairly on what they will see during the elections,” he said.
President Arroyo earlier encouraged local and foreign election observers to verify the upcoming automated elections are free, fair, and results valid without any political interference.
Amid allegations her government was plotting to extend her term, the President said the presence of independent observers would help protect the integrity of the vote and the election results.
Mrs. Arroyo, whose victory in 2004 has been tarnished by allegations of election fraud, vowed to ensure a smooth transition to a new government when her term expires on June 30.
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