Philippine Normal University

The National Center for Teacher Education

UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL
STUDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Taft Avenue, Manila

ELECTION CODE
Election Code for Philippine Normal University – Student Council Election

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. This code shall be known as Election Code for Philippine Normal University –
Student Council Election and hereinafter referred to as the Election Code.

Section 2. Jurisdiction. The Election Code shall govern all elections of Philippine Normal University
– Manila Student Council elections including, but not limited to, Central Student Council,
Faculty and Institute Representative, Sectoral Representative and Classroom Assembly.

Section 3. Postponement of Election. When for any serious cause such as violence, terrorism, loss or
destruction of election paraphernalia or records; force majeure; shortening of the semester,
and other analogous cases of such nature that the holding of free, orderly, and honest
election should become impossible, the Commission, motu proprio, or upon a verified
petition by any interested party, and after due notice and hearing, whereby all interested
parties are afforded equal opportunity to be heard, shall postpone the election therein to a
date which should be reasonably close to the date of the election not held, suspended or
which resulted in failure to elect.

Section 4. Suspension of Election. If, on account of force majeure, violence, terrorism, fraud, or
other analogous causes, the election in any polling place has been suspended before the
hour fixed for closing of the voting, or after voting and during the preparation and the
transmission of the election returns, or in the custody or canvass thereof, the Commission,
motu proprio, or on the basis of a verified petition by any interested party, and after due
notice and hearing, shall call for the holding or continuation of the election suspended
within a reasonable period after the end of the cause of such suspension.

Section 5. Failure of Election. When for any serious cause such as violence, terrorism, insufficient
number of candidates or other incidents that may lead to the unsuccessful election. The
Commission, motu proprio, or on the basis of a verified petition by any interested party,
and after due notice and hearing, shall declare failure of election.

Section 6. Special Election.

a. In case of vacancy arises in any elected USC officers within forty five (45) working
days before a regular election, the Commission shall call a special election, to be held
within fifteen (15) days after vacancy occurs;
b. In case of the dissolution of the Central Student Council; and
c. In case of Failure of Election, shall call an election which shall be held not later than
2nd week of March.

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Section 7. Decision of the Executive Board. The postponement, suspension and failure of elections
and the calling of special elections shall be decided by a majority vote of the Executive
Board of the Commission sitting en banc; Provided that such decision of the Commission
shall only be final and binding if not appealed within a reasonable period by the
electorates.

Section 8. Disposition of the Election Code. A printed copy of this Code shall be provided and be
made available by the Commission in every polling place, in order that it may be readily
consulted by any person in need thereof.

Section 9. Expenses. Such expenses as may be necessary and reasonable in connection with general
and special elections exercises shall be paid by the Commission.

Funds needed by the Commission to defray the expenses for the holding of regular and
special elections, shall be provided in the regular and special appropriations by the PNU
Manila Student Council for the Commission, which shall immediately be released upon the
approval of said appropriations, and the certification of the Chairperson of the
Commission.

Section 10. Electorate. All bona fide students duly enrolled in the undergraduate level of the
Philippine Normal University Manila campus shall compose the electorate except for
cross-enrolees.

Section 11. Definition of Terms.

a. Election – shall refer to the act or manner, or process, or system of selecting a

creditable and honorable person or persons who shall concurrently be a bona fide
student of good standing at the Philippine Normal University, Manila campus for
Student Council office by way of ballot.
b. Election campaign – shall refer to an act designed to promote the election or defeat of a
particular candidate.
c. Political party or organization or coalition – shall refer to an organized group of
qualified voters pursuing the same ideology, political ideas, and platforms or programs
of government, including its branches or divisions.
d. Candidate – shall refer to any person aspiring or seeking an elective office, who has
filed a certificate of candidacy by himself/herself or through accredited political party,
organization, or coalition of parties.
e. Precinct – shall refer to the unit or group of sections prepared by the Commission for
the purpose of voting.
f. Polling Place – shall refer to the place where the board of election inspectors observe
the proceedings and where the voters cast their votes.
g. Petition – shall refer to the written instrument containing the proposition duly signed in
a form prescribed by the Commission.
h. Initiative – shall refer to the power to propose amendments to the Constitution or the
enactment of Student Legislation. It may be exercised directly through a petition
submitted in a plebiscite called for the purpose, or indirectly through the Student
Assembly.
i. Referendum – shall refer to the power to approve or reject statutes enacted by the
Student Assembly in whole or in part.
j. Proposition – shall refer to the measure proposed by the voters for the enactment,
amendment, approval, or rejection of a law.

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 k. Plebiscite – shall refer to the electoral proves through which the power of initiative or
referendum is exercised.

ARTICLE II
THE PNU-USC STUDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Section 1. Name and Nature. Being part of the University Student Council, the Commission shall
retain its name and nature with the provisions of 2016 PNU-USC Constitution and hereby
be called as Student Electoral Commission. Any documents to be submitted or to be
referred to the commission shall use the aforementioned name.

Tenure. The Executive Board, being duly appointed shall hold office for one (1) academic
year including the summer period or until his or her successor has been appointed and
assumed office.

Section 2. Officers. The Commission shall be composed of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a

Secretary, a Screening Committee Officer, a Finance and Logistics Officer, a Publicity
Officer, and the Head of the Board of Canvassers, which jointly, shall be known as the
Executive Board.

Qualifications. All officers of the Commission must have had a minimum of one (1)
election work experience, including the appropriate training necessary for holding the
position acquired.

Section 3. Committees. The Commission may create special committees as may be necessary for the
holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.

Section 4. Restrictions on Membership. Any and all members of the Commission shall not be bias
for or against any party that is political in nature.

The Executive Board shall perform a thorough and upright investigation to any of the
members of the Commission found culpable of the act through a written petition by any
interested party.

The decision whether to retain or to withdraw membership from the Commission shall be
from the Executive Board sitting en banc.

Section 5. Qualifications for Membership. Membership to the Commission shall be subject to the
following conditions:

a. Must be a qualified electorate;

b. Must not be a candidate in any PNU – USC student elections;
c. Must not be an officer or member of any recognized political party, coalition of
political parties or organization within the University; and
d. Must not be directly or indirectly involved in any political activity while serving under
the Commission.

Section 6. Functions and Powers of the Student Electoral Commission. In addition to the
functions and powers conferred upon it by the 2016 PNU – USC Manila Constitution, the
Commission shall have exclusive charge of the enforcement and administration of all
laws relative to the conduct of elections and for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly,
honest, peaceful, and credible election, and shall:

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a. Promulgate rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Code and other
laws which the Commission is required to enforce and administer, including the
expeditious disposition of all election cases and pre – proclamation controversies;
Provided that such rules and regulations shall not diminish substantive rights or
preclude any established law within the University;

b. Summon parties to a controversy pending before it, issue memoranda, take testimonies,
and receive evidences in any investigation before it, and delegate such power to any
officer of the Commission;

c. Investigate, prosecute and revoke certificates of candidacy and political party found to
be in violation of any provisions of this Code. In such cases, the Commission may file
necessary complaint of any candidate found to be guilty of an election offense for
disciplinary action in Office of Student Affairs and Student Services;

d. Shall be the priority during the election period in utilization of the facilities and
equipment of the PNU University Student Council office, all bulletin boards along the
catwalk, including telephones, typewriters/computers, tables, speakers, megaphones,
and other analogous items, to ensure equal opportunities for the candidates and the
electorate in holding a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible election;

e. Enjoy fiscal autonomy – its approved financial budget as well as the appropriation for
the regular and special elections and other electoral exercises be automatically and
regularly released;

f. Punish contempt provided for in its rules of procedure as an Executive Board and as a
Commissioner, including those stipulated in its Election Code. Violations of any final
decision, order, or ruling of the Commission shall constitute contempt thereof;

g. Prescribe the forms and printing materials for official ballots, election returns, and
other election paraphernalia to be used in all elections, recalls, initiatives, referenda,
and other electoral exercises, and adopt newer systems to expedite the conduct of
elections, including, but not limited to, the manner of voting, the determination of the
appropriate location for the holding of the counting and canvassing of votes,
resolutions of pre – proclamation cases, and all other election contests;

h. Carry out a continuous systematic campaign to educate the electorate on, but not
limited to, procedures, decisions, laws, and other matters relative to the duties of the
Commission and the necessity of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible
election;

i. Fix reasonable period of dates of activities, including, but not limited to, the creation of
an election calendar, including the provisions for prohibited or unlawful acts; Provided
that such matters shall not contradict the student’s right to suffrage;

j. After due notice and hearing, end all illegal acts, confiscate and tear down all
prohibited election propaganda or gadget;

k. Examine the financial records of any candidate, political party, coalition or

organization upon determination of probable cause by any person or group of persons
regarding election overspending or illegal expenditures; and

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 l. Any activity by the candidates and/or their respective political parties during the
Election Campaign as provided in the Election Calendar shall be approved by the
Commission.

m. Direct defamation or any form of libel to political party/ies and to any candidates of
any political party/ies or any candidates inside the University during the election period
shall be grounds for disqualification with undeniable proof or evidence.

The decision whether to retain or to disqualify the candidate or the party shall be from
the Executive Board sitting en banc.

Section 7. Head Office. The head office of the Commission shall be placed near the Central Student
Council office.

The Commission shall have stock room to ensure the confidentiality of the documents and
it may be necessary for the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible
elections.

ARTICLE III
PNU – STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND OTHER PROCLAMATIONS

Section 1. Composition of the Elected Student Council. The Elected Student Council of Philippine
Normal University – Manila shall comprise the following, but not limited to, the Central
Student Council, Faculty and Institute Representative and Sectoral Representative.

a. Central Student Council. The elective positions of the Central Student Council are
the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and ten (10) Councilors.

The (10) ten elected councilors, will have an internal election as to who will hold
each of the following:

1. Secretary General
2. Finance Officer
3. Blue Ribbon Committee
4. Committee on Appointments and Student Information
5. Educational Development and Research Committee
6. Green Environment Committee
7. Planning and Operations Committee
8. Socio – Cultural, Arts, Recreation and Sports Committee
9. Student Organizations and Accreditation Committee
10. Students’ Right and Welfare Committee

b. Faculty and Institute Representatives. The Faculty of Arts and Languages (FAL),
Faculty of Science, Technology and Mathematics (FSTEM), Faculty of Behavioral and
Social Sciences (FBeSS), Faculty of Education Sciences (FES), Institute of Knowledge
Management (IKM) and Institute of Physical Education, Health, Recreation, Dance and
Sports (IPEHRDS) shall have two (2) representatives and be elected by the electorate
under their respective Faculty and Institute.

c. Sectoral Representatives. The Freshmen Assembly, Student Performers and Athletes’

Guild (SPAG), Student Assistants’ Union (SAU), Normal Hall Dormers’ Circle

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 (NHDC), Scholars’ Association (SA) and ICUCOs’ Alliance (ICUCOA) shall be
elected by the electorate under their respective special groups.

The Freshmen Assembly composed of President, Vice President, Secretary,

Treasurer and Public Relation Officer of first (1) year students regardless of their
specialization.

Section 2. Tenure, Removal from Office, and Reinstatement. The duly elected officers of the
Central Student Council, Faculty and Institute Representative and Sectoral Representatives
shall serve a maximum of one (1) academic year, including the summer period,
commencing from the time they are duly qualified and inducted into office, until the time
that a new set of officers have been duly elected and qualified or, as provided in Article
XIII of the 2016 PNU – USC Constitution, until such elected officers are impeached, or
removed from office on grounds mental incapacity, resignation, or failure to qualify as an
elected officer; Provided, however, that a verified motion seeking the reinstatement of an
elected officer, whereby the petitioner and elected officer or officers in questions are
afforded equal opportunity to be heard, shall have been submitted to the appropriate
competent and duly recognized authorities, and that after due notice and hearing, such
motion has been decided in favor of the officer or officers in question, then shall a
reinstatement be made.

Section 3. Canvassing of Votes. The canvass of votes shall be made by the Executive Board of the
Commission.

The Executive Board of the Commission shall convene immediately after receipt of the
election returns from any of the Head of the Board of Election Inspectors, shall meet
continuously until the canvass is completed, and may adjourn only for the purpose of
awaiting other election returns from other precincts. Each time the board adjourns, it shall
make a total of all the votes canvassed so far of each candidate for each office, making
available the data contained therein to interested parties. As soon as the other election
returns have been delivered, the board shall immediately resume canvassing until all the
returns have been canvassed. Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall prepare a
certificate of canvass duly signed and thumb – marked by each board member, supported
by a statement of the votes received by each candidate in each precinct and polling place,
and shall certify and, within a reasonable period, transmit such certificates of canvass and
statements of votes by precinct to the Chairperson of the Central Student Council, Dean of
the Office of Student Affairs and Student Services, and President of the University. The
board shall also prepare a poster announcing the official result of the election recently held,
and post such posters in bulletin boards along the catwalk and hallways of the University.

Section 4. Date of Election.

a. The election for Central Student Council and Faculty and Institute Representative shall
be held during 4th week of February of each year.

b. The election for Sectoral Representative shall be held not later than 2nd week of March
through an assembly of all the members supervised by the outgoing CSC officers.

c. The election for Freshmen Assembly shall be held not later than 4th week of June
through an assembly of all Freshmen Classroom Assembly organized by the
supervision of the Commission.

Article IV

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 INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND PLEBISCITES

Section 1. Motion. Any member of the electorate may file a motion or a petition calling for an
initiative and/or referendum.

Section 2. Requirements for an Initiative and/or Referendum. A petition for initiative and/or
referendum shall be deemed valid if such petition is signed by the required number of
petitioners which shall be at least eighteen percent (18%) of the total number of registered
voters in the University, represented by at least three percent (3%) from each faculty and
institute.

Section 3. Content of the Petition. A valid petition shall contain:

a. The text of the proposed law sought to be enacted, approved or rejected, amended, or
recalled;
b. The proposition;
c. The reason for such petition;
d. A statement whose subjects are not among those prohibited under the succeeding
section;
e. The signatures of the petitioners; and
f. An abstract or summary proposition in not more than one hundred (100) words legibly
written or printed at the top of every page of the petition.

Section 4. Limitation of the Petition. No petition shall embrace more than one (1) subject of topic
and shall not have as its subject emergency measures, the enactment of which are
specifically vested in the Central Student Council.

Section 5. Verification of Signatures. The Commission shall verify the signatures in the petition on
the basis of its records used in the previous election.

Section 6. Conduct and Date of Plebiscite on Initiative or Referendum. The Commission shall call
and supervise the plebiscite on initiative and/or referendum. It shall determine the
sufficiency of the petition within a period of seven (7) days from the receipt of the petition,
publish the same on bulletin boards along the catwalk and hallways of the University, and
set the date of the plebiscite which shall not be later than thirty (30) days from the
determination of its sufficiency.

Section 7. Effectivity of the Initiative and/or Referendum Proposition. A proposition shall take
effect upon certification by the Commission that the majority of the votes cast which is
50% +1 of the registered voters was obtained in a plebiscite called for the approval or
rejection as follows:

a. If the proposition to enact, approve, or amend a Student Law is approved, the said law
becomes effective ten (10) days following the completion of its publication in the
official publication of the University, or its posting on the bulletin boards along the
catwalk and hallways of the University;

b. If the proposition to reject a Student Law is approved, the said law shall be deemed
repealed within ten (10) days following its certification, and publication in the official
publication of the University, or its posting in the bulletin boards and hallways of the
University;

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 c. If the majority of the votes needed is not obtained, the Student Law sought to be
rejected or amended shall remain in force and in effect; and

d. The proposition in an initiative or referendum on the Constitution shall become

effective on the day of its approval by the required majority vote of the electorate.

Section 8. Indirect Initiative. Any member of the electorate may file a petition calling for an indirect
initiative with the Central Student Council. The procedures to be followed in an initiative
bill shall be the same as the system adopted by the Central Student Council in endorsing,
passing, or ratifying a legislative measure; Provided, however, that the said initiative shall
take precedence over all other pending legislative measures.

Article V
ELECTION CALENDAR

Section 1. Election Calendar. The election calendar shall commence on the day of registration of
individual candidates or political parties and shall last for not more than one (1) month
unless otherwise extended by the Commission.

ARTICLE VI
POLITICAL PARTIES, CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN PROPAGANDA

Section 1. Political Party, Organization, and Coalition. To acquire legal personality and be entitled
to the rights and privileges herein granted, a political party, coalition, or organization, shall
be first be registered with the Commission every election.

A political party may affiliate with another political party or parties and register such
affiliation with the Commission not later than the period set by the Commission as the
registration of political parties.

Section 2. Conduct of Independent Candidates. The independent candidates shall not co-mingle
funds with one another.

Section 3. Registration. Any organized group of qualified voters seeking registration as a political
party, coalition, or organization may file with the Commission a verified petition, together
with a copy of its Constitution and by – laws, platform or program of government, and
other relative information that the Commission may deem necessary. The Commission
shall cause the publication of such petition on bulletin boards along the catwalk and
hallways of the University.

After due investigation by the Commission, all political parties and/or influential
personalities found to be guilty of seeking to achieve its goals through violence and
unlawful means, and refusing to uphold and adhere to the 2016 PNU – USC Constitution
and Election Code, shall be denied registration or have their accreditation status revoked.

Section 4. The requirements. The Commission shall accredit major political parties, coalitions, or
organizations, which shall have preference in posting watchers on the day of the election,
after submission of the following requirements:

a. Established records, including performances in the past elections;

b. The number of incumbent elective officials belonging to at least one (1) month before
the date of the election;

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 c. List of Officers;
d. List of their complete slate of candidates;
e. Constitution and By-Laws;
f. Platform of Government;
g. Statement of Expenditures and Source of Fund;
h. Official List of their members. Provided that, only bona fide students whose names
appear in the official list duly submitted to the Commission shall be considered
members of the said political party; and
i. Other analogous requirements that the Commission may deem necessary.

Section 5. Cancellation of Registration or Accreditation. The Commission may, upon a verified

complaint of any interested party, and after due notice and hearing, cancel the registration
or accreditation status of any political party, coalition, organization, on the following
grounds:

a. Acceptance by it and by any candidates and political parties of support or financial

contribution from outside organizations or personalities, directed to activities related to
the election;
b. Violation of, or non – compliance with, laws, rules, regulation relating to the election;
c. Untruthful statement/s in its petition; or
d. Failure to fill official candidates in the last two (2) preceding elections, or failure of its
candidates to obtain at least five percent (5%) of votes cast in the last two preceding
elections.

Section 6. Qualifications of a Candidate. A candidate must, but not limited to, the following:

1. Central Student Council

1.1 Be a bona fide student of the University;
1.2 Be a regular student with at least fifteen (15) academic units;
1.3 Have no failing grade from the previous term before the election;
1.4 Be a non-working student;
1.5 Undergo the screening process set by the Commission;
1.6 Must not hold any other office from PNU-USC, PBOs, ICUCOs; and
1.7 Fulfill other requirements set by the Commission in accordance with the
provisions of the Election Code.

2. Faculty and Institute Representative

2.1 Be a bona fide student of the University;
2.2 Be a regular student with at least fifteen (15) academic units;
2.3 Have no failing grade from the previous term before the election; and
2.4 Hold an office in the umbrella organization of their respective faculty and
institute.

3. Sectoral Representative
3.1 Be a bona fide student of the University;
3.2 Be a regular student with at least fifteen (15) academic units;
3.3 Have no failing grade from the previous term before the election; and
3.4 Be a member of their special group with good standing for the past one (1)
year.

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Section 7. Grounds for Disqualification. Upon verified complaint of any electorate, political party,
coalition or by the Commission, the candidate/s may be disqualified after due notice and
hearing on, but not limited to, the following grounds:
a. Violation to the 2016 PNU – USC Constitution, Election Code and other laws,
rules and regulations relating to the election;
b. Untruthful statement/s in its Certificate of Candidacy and Statement of
Contributions and Expenditures;
c. Employing violence or other unlawful means in refusing to uphold and adhere
the 2016 PNU – USC Constitution and Election Code;
d. A bona fide student who filed certificate of candidacy under two or more
positions;
e. Non-compliance to the meetings, briefings, requirements and other necessary
documents needed by the Commission;
f. Failure to remove more than five (5) campaign posters, banners, streamers, or
any other campaign material or propaganda gadget posted or erected in public
view; and
g. All acts analogous to the foregoing.

Section 8. Certificate of Candidacy. No person shall be eligible for any elective position unless such
person files a sworn certificate of candidacy within the period fixed by the Commission.

A person who has filed a certificate of candidacy may, prior to the election, withdraw the
same by submitting to the office of the Commission a written declaration of the withdrawal
under oath.

No person shall be eligible as a candidate for more than one office in the same election.
Such person shall, before the expiration of the period for the filing of candidacy, be made
to determine a single office and cancel the certificate of candidacy for the other offices
under oath.

Section 9. Contents of the Certificate of Candidacy. The certificate of candidacy shall be filled in
the form prescribed by the Commission and shall state (but shall not be limited to) the
following:

a. The legal name of the person filing the same, and if he/she so desires, one nickname or
stage name by which he/she is popularly known in the campus. In no case shall he/she
use the nickname of another person;

b. That the person filing in announcing his/her candidacy for the office stated therein is
eligible;

c. The political party which he/she belongs to;

d. His/her sex, civil status, date and place of birth, residence and postal office address –
for election purposes;

e. That he/she shall defend the Constitution of the Philippine Normal University, Manila
– Student Council and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto;

f. That he/she shall obey the laws, legal orders and decrees promulgated by the
Commission;

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 g. That the facts stated on the Certificate of Candidacy are true and correct to the best of
his/her knowledge; and

h. A certification duly signed by the Office of the Registrar, and of the Office of the Dean
for Student Affairs and Student Services, that he/she is in good academic standing, and
has not been found guilty of any immoral and unlawful act.

The person filing the Certificate of Candidacy shall likewise attach copies of his/her
resignation letter, duly accepted (as in the case of Faculty and Institute officers, and the
Torch Publications), affix his/her latest passport photograph, and if he/she so desires, a
statement in duplicate his/her bio – data and program of government.

Section 9. Supporting Documents. Simultaneously with the filing of his or her certificate of
candidacy, the candidate, or the political party that he or she belongs to, shall submit to the
Commission the following, but not limited, requirements:

1. Central Student Council and Faculty and Institute Representative

1.1 One (1) piece of 2x2 picture;

1.2 Three (3) pieces of 3R picture;
1.3 Clear Photocopy of the front and back sides of candidate’s
Identification Card (ID);
1.3.1 For a photocopy to be considered clear, all the requisite
information must be identifiable such as: picture, name,
signature, student number, semester sticker or signature;
1.3.2 The candidate who owns the ID shall sign the photocopy
with his/her name, signature and date he/she signs it; and
1.3.3 The signature of the student on the photocopy must match
the signature shown in the ID. If, there is a clear discrepancy
between the two, the student shall personally submit a
written statement addressed to the Commission, explaining
the difference and identifying which signature is valid.
1.4 Certificate of Good Moral;
1.5 Printable Copy of Grades;
1.6 Registration Form;
1.7 Personal Data Sheets;
1.8 A candidate who holds any office from PNU-USC, PBOs and ICUCOs,
he/she shall submit a Memoir;
1.9 Written consent from the parent or guardian of the candidate who agree
to the candidacy of his/her child. Provided that, the parent or guardian
shall sign the consent with his/her name and signature, together with the
date that he/she signs it;
1.10 Clear photocopy of the front and back sides of the parent or
guardian’s ID of the candidates; and
1.10.1 For a photocopy to be considered clear, all requisite
information in the ID must be identifiable such as: name,
picture and signature;
1.10.2 The parent or guardian who owns the ID shall sign the
photocopy with his/her name and signature, together with the
date that he/she signs it; and
1.10.3 The signature of the parent or guardian in the photocopy and
written consent must match the signature shown in the ID. If,

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 there is a clear discrepancy between the two, the parent or
guardian through the candidate shall submit a written
statement addressed to the Commission, explaining the
difference and identifying which signature is valid.
1.11 For Central Student Council candidates who holds any office from
PNU-USC, PBOs and ICUCOs, he/she shall submit a Resignation
Letter duly signed by the Adviser or President of the office he/she
belongs;
2. Sectoral Representatives
2.1 One (1) piece of 1x1 picture;
2.2 Membership form/ certification of membership; and
2.3 Personal Data Sheets
3. Freshmen Assembly
3.1 One (1) piece of 2x2 picture;
3.2 Registration Form; and
3.3 Personal Data Sheets.

The requirements must be enclosed inside long brown envelope and shall
submit within the period fixed by the Commission.

In the case of Sectoral representative the requirements must be enclosed in

long brown envelope and shall submit within period fixed by the outgoing
officers of CSC.

Section 10. Filing of the Certificate of Candidacy. The certificate of candidacy shall be filed by the
candidate in person or by his/her duly authorized representative(s) not later than the day
prescribed by the Commission. Provided that, in any case of postponement, no additional
certificates shall be accepted.

Section 11. Posting of the Certificate of Candidacy. Immediately after the last day of filing of
Certificate of Candidacy, the Commission shall prepare a certified list of candidates and
post the same along the bulletin boards in the catwalk and hallways of the University and
in the official social media accounts of the Commission.

Section 12. Nuisance Candidates. The Commission may, motu proprio, or upon verified petition of
any interested party, refuse to give due course to or cancel a certificate of candidacy if it is
shown that said certificate has been filed to put the election process in mockery or
disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the
registered candidates or by other circumstances or acts which clearly demonstrate that the
candidate has no bona fide intention to run for the office which the certificate of candidacy
has been filed and thus prevent a faithful determination of the true will of electorate.

Section 13. Campaign and Election Propaganda. As used in this Code which includes:

a. Forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees, movements, or other groups of

persons for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for
candidacy;

b. Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar

assemblies for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for
candidacy;

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 c. Making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding interviews for the
purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for candidacy;

d. Publishing or distributing campaign literate or materials designed to promote the

candidacy of a candidate; or

e. Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for a candidate.

Section 14. Prohibition of Foreign Intervention. It shall be unlawful for any internal organization
and external personality, organization or entity to directly or indirectly aid any PNU – USC
candidate or political party or take part in or influence in any manner the conduct of any
student election.

Section 15. Lawful Election Propaganda. Lawful election propaganda shall include:

a. Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers, or other written or printed materials of a size
more than twenty-one and a half centimeters (21 & ½ or 21.5 cm.) in width, and thirty-
five and a half centimeters (35 & ½ or 35.5 cm.) in length.

Stickers or decals posted or displayed in the personal belongings of the student, such as
University IDs, watches, bags, caps, and other similar items, must have the express
consent of the owners of such items;

b. Handwritten, printed letters, voice record and video urging voters to vote for a
particular candidate;

c. Cloth, paper, or cardboard poster, with an area not exceeding sixty centimeters (60
cm.) by ninety centimeters (90 cm.);

d. Any newspaper, newsletter, newsweekly, gazette, or magazine advertising, poster,

pamphlets, circulars, handbills, bumper stickers, streamers, simple list of candidate or
group of candidates to any public office. These items may bear the words “paid for by”
followed by the true correct name and address of the payor, and by the words “printed
by” followed by the true and correct name and address of the printer (e.g. “paid for by
the friends of Juan de la Cruz/ printed by Pedro Tagalog, 123 San Marcelino, Ermita,
Manila); and

e. Streamers not exceeding forty centimeters (40 cm.) by ninety centimeters (90 cm.) in
size shall be allowed only at the official party headquarters of a registered political
party or on the site and occasion of an approved public meeting or rally during the
period designated by the Commission; Provided that such streamer shall be removed
immediately after the approved meeting or rally, or the Miting de Avance;

f. For social media campaign, the candidates should make the post available to the public,
tag the official accounts of the Commission and use the official hashtag provided by
the Commission.

Megaphones, sound systems, recorded or live propaganda jingles, shall be used only
during the Miting de Avance.

All other forms of election propaganda not prohibited by these regulations may be
authorized by the Commission after due notice to all interested parties, where all interested

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 parties are given equal opportunity to be heard; Provided that the Commission’s
authorization shall be published on the bulletin boards along the catwalk and hallways of
the University. Violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense.

Section 16. Approval of Lawful Election Propaganda. All lawful election propaganda shall be
approved by Publishing Committee of the Commission, including campaign materials
intended to be posted or displayed on the bulletin boards along the catwalk and hallways of
the University.

Section 17. Designated Posting Areas. All campaign materials shall be posted or displayed only on
areas designated by the Commission as common posters areas. Violation of this provision
shall constitute an election offense.

Section 18. Prohibited Forms of Election Propaganda. It shall be unlawful to:

a. Purchase, manufacture, request, distribute or accept electoral propaganda gadgets, such

as pens, lighters, fans of whatever nature, flashlights, athletic goods or materials,
wallets, shirts, hats, bandanas, matches, cigarettes, and the like; Provided, however,
that campaign supporters accompanying a candidate shall be allowed to wear hats/caps
and/or T-shirts advertising a candidate during the period set by the Commission as
campaign period; or

b. Erect, put up, make use of attach, float or display posters or any analogous campaign
material that does not bear the Commission’s approval.

The printing, manufacture, construction, purchase, posting, publication, display,

distribution, acceptance or use of any foregoing election propaganda materials shall
constitute an election offense.

Any prohibited election propaganda gadget or advertisement shall immediately be stopped,

confiscated or torn down by the Commission.

Section 18. Notices and Announcements. The Commission shall designate a substantial space, herein
referred to as Commission Space, on the bulletin boards along the catwalk and hallways of
the University, respectively. Such space shall contain printed or handwritten information
deemed necessary by the Commission for the electorate.

Section 19. Room-to-Room Campaign. Subject to the requirements and approval of the Office of
Student Affairs and Student Services and any other the appropriate office, any political
party supporting official candidates or any independent candidate, individually or jointly
with other aspirants, may hold peaceful room-to-room election campaigns during the
period prescribed by the Commission as the campaign period; Provided that, in holding
such campaign, all campaign managers shall secure the necessary permit from the
Commission or the Office of Student Affairs and Services; Provided further, the
candidates or parties engaging in such campaign shall not proceed when any form of class
examinations are on-going and/or there is no professor inside the classroom.

Section 20. Miting de Avance. Subject to the requirements and approval of the Office of Student
Affairs and Services and any other the appropriate office, the Commission shall organize a
Miting de Avance within the election period; Provided that no convocation shall be held
not later than one (1) day before the election period.

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 The use of megaphones, sound systems, and cassette recorders for party jingle(s) shall be
allowed; Provided that such campaign propaganda gadgets shall be used within the time
limit prescribed by the Commission.

Section 21. Cleaning Period. Immediately after the Miting De Avance, all members and affiliates of
registered political parties, organizations or coalitions of political party including
independent candidates, must participate in the cleaning and removal of any and all
campaign materials and propaganda gadgets.

In the implementation of this Code, the Commission shall impose penalties in the
following manner:

a. For Failure to remove one to three (3) campaign posters, banners, streamers, or any
other campaign material or propaganda gadget posted or erected in public view – The
political party, organization, coalition of the political parties or independent candidate
at fault shall be reprimanded.

b. For failure to remove more than five (5) campaign posters, banners, streamers, or any
other campaign material or propaganda gadget posted or erected in public view – The
political party, organization, coalition of the political parties or independent candidate
at fault shall be disqualified from running in the election.

c. By any case the political party, organization, coalition of the political parties or
independent candidate posted online upon the day of election, all campaign posters,
posts or any propaganda posted in the personal accounts of the political party,
organization, coalition of the political parties or independent candidate must be deleted.

The political party, organization, coalition of the political parties or independent candidate
at fault shall be disqualified from running in the election.

Section 22. Lawful Expenditures. No independent candidate or treasurer of a political party shall,
directly or indirectly, make any expenditure except the following purposes:

a. The printing and distribution of printed matters including stationaries relative to the
election;

b. The maintenance and furnishing of campaign headquarters or venues of meeting;

c. The procurement or preparation of food and others analogous items needed by the poll
watchers, campaign managers during the campaign period, actual counting, and/or
canvassing of votes; and

d. The participation of candidates and parties in the Miting de Avance, such as the case of
use of lights and decorations.

The Commission, in line with strict compliance on this, requires each political party and/or
independent candidates to submit a financial report regarding the expenditures throughout
the election.

Section 23. Prohibited Contributions. No contributions for purposes of aiding political activities
shall be made, directly or indirectly, through any of the following:

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 a. Student funds from University Student Council;
b. Faculties and Employees of the University;
c. Outside organization and/or personalities; or
d. Funds from ICUCOs, OBOs and PBOs.

Section 24. Prohibited Campaigning. It is unlawful for any candidate or political party, whether a
voter or not, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity on the eve of
election or on election day.

Section 25. Statement of Contributions and Expenditures. All candidates participated in the
election shall submit full, true, and itemized Statement of Contributions and Expenditures
(SOCE) within three (3) working days after the election. Official receipts or invoices shall
support all expenditure accordingly. Provided that, every SOCE of the candidates shall be
notarized.

Section 26. Fair and accurate reporting. The official student publication and watchers, shall
scrupulously report the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts or distort the truth
by omission or improper emphasis, and shall be validated by the Commission.

Article VII
BOARD OF INSPECTORS AND WATCHERS

Section 1. Board of Election Inspectors (BEI). At least one (1) week before the date of election or
plebiscite, the Commission shall create for each precinct a board of elections inspectors,
composed of a Head of the Board of Inspectors, and two (2) other members, one of whom
shall be designated as poll clerk. All members of the board of election inspectors shall be
bona fide members of the Commission, or volunteers from accredited campus
organizations of known probity and competence duly authorized by the Commission to act
as members of the Board of Election Inspectors.

Section 2. Relief and Substitution. The Commission may, for such cause as it may determine,
relieve or/and replace such member of the BEI with another qualified Commissioner.

Section 3. Powers and Functions of the Board. The board shall have the following functions:

a. Ensure that the place designated for each precinct is suitable for use;
b. Manage the casting and counting of votes in the designated polling place authorized by
the Commission;
c. Act as deputies of the Commission in the supervision and control of the election in the
polling place where they are assigned; and
d. Perform other functions prescribed in this Code and in the rules and regulations
promulgated by the Commission.

Section 4. Proceedings of the BEI. The meeting of the board shall be publicly held in the polling
place authorized by the Commission. The board shall act, through its Head and decide by a
majority vote, without delay, all questions that may arise in performance of its duties.

Section 5. Authority of the BEI in the Polling Places. The board shall have full authority to keep
the access to the polling place open and unobstructed, conduct the voting and counting of
votes, maintain order within the polling place and its premises, and enforce the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission.

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 Should a student refuse to obey the board, or shall conduct himself/herself in a disorderly
manner in its presence or within its hearing, and thereby interrupt or disturb its
proceedings, the board may issue an order in writing directing any peace officer to take
into custody such erring student until the adjournment of the meeting. Such order,
however, shall not prevent any person from exercising the right to vote.

Section 6. Food Allocation. The Commission shall ensure free food for the Board of Election
Inspectors during the day of the election and the canvassing period.

Section 7. Official Watchers. Each political party or coalition of parties or independent candidate
and Official School Publication shall be entitled to one (1) regular and one (1) alternate
watcher in each precinct and canvassing center; Provided that, no two watcher from the
same political party or coalition of parties or represented by the same independent
candidate shall be allowed in one precinct at the same time.

Section 8. Qualifications of a Watcher. A person may qualify as a watcher if he/she:

a. Is an electorate;
b. Of good reputation; and
c. Has not been convicted by final judgment of any election offense.

Section 9. Appointment of watchers. Each independent candidate, political party, organization, or

coalition of political parties shall be authorized to appoint watchers. The appointment of
such watchers shall bear the signature of the independent candidate or the duly authorized
representative of the political party, organization or coalition of political parties. The
watchers from Official School Publication shall be authorized by Editor-in-Chief.

Section 10. Rights and duties of watchers. The watcher, upon entering the polling place, shall
present to the chairperson of the board his/her appointment paper. The name of the watcher
shall be recorded in the Minutes folder.

a. Stay in the place reserved for them inside the polling place or the canvassing center;
b. Witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the board;
c. Take note of what they may see or hear;
d. File a protest against any irregularity which they believe may have been committed;
e. Have an unimpeded view of the ballots, the election returns and the tally board during
the counting of votes, and the certificates of canvass during the canvassing;
f. Read the election returns or certificates of canvass after they have been completed and
signed by the board.

Provided however, such watcher shall not do unnecessary actions that may distract and/or
delay the proceedings of the Board.

ARTICLE VIII
FORMS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER PARAPHERNALIA

Section 1. Book of Voters. The book of voters shall contain the name, year and section, course and
student number of all voters currently registered during the inclusive date of the election
period. Upon request to and receipt from the Office of the Registrar of copy of the list of
total number of enrolled students for the current semester, the Canvassing Committee shall
prepare a book of voters for each precinct. Two (2) copies shall be prepared, one copy shall

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 be placed in the appropriate precinct, and the other copy shall be under the custody of the
Student Electoral Commission Secretariat for documentation and filing.

Section 2. Minutes Folder. The proceedings of the Board of Election Inspectors shall be entered in a
folder assigned as the minutes folder, including, but not limited to, the names of the
watchers, anomalies and other controversies regarding the proceedings of the board, and
the names watchers and supporters during the voting period and the canvassing of votes.

Section 3. Precinct and Polling Place. The arrangements of the precincts, including the designation
of the tables, chairs, precinct number, and the tally board in the preceding regular election
shall be maintained and followed; Provided however when deemed necessary, the
Commission may introduce adjustments or new efficient systems. The polling place shall
be located in a place where the voters can have easy access to voting, preferably along the
catwalk or the hallways of the University.

Section 4. Official Ballot. The official ballots shall be provided by the Commission. The official
ballots shall:

a. Be uniformed in size;
b. Be printed on mimeograph paper;
c. Have security markings;
d. Be rectangular in shape;
e. Have consecutive serial numbers;
f. Have a portion for the thumb mark of the voter;
g. Contain sufficient number of horizontal lines where the voter may write the names of
the official candidates;
h. Bear the name of the University, the date of the election, and the words “Do not put
any distinctive mark on any part of this ballot” in front, and the official seal of the
Commission at the back of each ballot.

Section 5. Election Returns. The election returns shall contain, among other relevant data, the names
of the candidates followed by their corresponding nickname or stage name as indicated in
his/her Certificate of Candidacy.

Section 6. Printing of official ballots, election returns and certificates of canvass. The official
ballots, election returns, and certificates of canvass shall be printed under the exclusive
supervision and control of the Commission. The Commission shall provide the necessary
security measures in the printing, storage and distribution thereof.

The official ballots and the election returns shall be numbered consecutively beginning
with number “1” in such manner as to reflect one continuous process.

Section 7. Committee on Printing. The Commission shall create a committee on printing composed
of the Finance and Logistics Officer, General Secretary, and the Head of the Board of
Canvassers, with the Vice Chairperson of the Commission as the chairperson of such
committee. The committee on printing shall:

a. Have general supervision and control over the printing of the official ballots, election
returns, and certificate of canvass;
b. Take charge of the room/s where the paper or paraphernalia for printing are stored;
c. Report to the Commission any irregularity which it believes may have been committed;
and

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 d. Perform other functions as the Executive Body may direct.

Section 8. Tally paper. At the beginning of the counting of votes, and within the unobstructed view
of the board election inspectors, watchers, and the public, a tally paper containing the
names of all the official candidates shall be erected, or posted on a wall. The third member
shall proceed to record thereon the votes for each candidate as the chairperson reads the
ballot.

Section 9 Ballot boxes. The Commission shall provide one (1) ballot box for each precinct on the
day of the election. The ballot boxes shall be uniformed in specification with such devices
so that the boxes can be secured in the manner as the Commission may prescribe.

Section 10. Certified List of Candidates. The Commission shall cause to be printed a certified list
candidates containing the names of all the official candidates for each office to be filled,
followed immediately by the corresponding nickname or stage name of each of the
candidate as indicated in her/his certificate of candidacy, and his/her political party
affiliation, if any. The said list shall be posted in each polling place during the voting
period.

Section 11. Furnishing of ballot boxes, election forms and other materials. The Commission shall
prepare and furnish the ballot boxes, election forms, supplies and materials necessary for
the election. The officer entrusted by the Commission with custody of the said materials
and supplies shall be responsible for their storage and the prevention thereof from any loss,
destruction, impairment, or damage while in his/her custody.

Section 12. New forms, security markings, and appropriate devices. The Commission may use or
adopt the latest technological measures and electronic devices for voting, counting of votes
and canvassing, and prescribe new form, printing materials, and security markings for the
official ballots, election returns, certificate of canvass, and other forms and paraphernalia.

Article VIII
CASTING, COUNTING AND CANVASSING OF VOTES AND PROCLAMATION

Section 1. Voting Period. The casting of votes shall begin at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00a.m.)
and shall end at seven in the evening (7:00p.m.) of the election day, except when there are
voters still present within thirty meters (30 m), in the front of the polling place who have
not yet voted, in which case the voting shall continue to allow said voters to vote without
interruption.

Section 2. Preliminaries of the Voting. The board of election inspectors shall meet at the polling
place thirty (30) minutes before the opening of the polls and shall assure themselves that
they have with them the book of voters for each precinct, the certified list(s) of candidates,
ballot boxes, official ballots, stamp pad, ball pens, and other election forms needed at the
polling place.

In full view of those present, the head of the board shall open the ballot box, empty both of
its compartment, and show to all those present than the ballot box is empty before locking
its interior cover.

Likewise the head of the board shall break the seal on the package of the official ballots in
full view of those present. Such fact, including the serial numbers of the first and last

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 ballot, shall be entered in the Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes, hereinafter
referred to as minutes of the board.

The ballot box shall remain locked until the voting is period is over, and before the
counting begins. However, if it should be necessary to make rooms for more ballots, the
board may, in the presence of the members of the board, ballots contained therein without
removing any of them, and thereafter the board shall again close the box and lock it.

Section 3. Persons in and around the polling place. During the voting, only the following persons
shall be allowed inside the polling place:

a. Members of the Board;

b. Watchers;
c. Representatives of the Commission;
d. Voters casting their votes;
e. Voters waiting for their turn to use the polling place; and
f. Voters waiting for their turn to use cast their votes.

It shall be unlawful for any candidate to enter any place or any area within the radius of
twenty (20) meters thereof, except to vote, but in such case he/she shall immediately leave
the polling place after voting.

Section 4. Order of voting. The voters will vote in the order of their entrance to the polling place and
immediately depart after casting their votes.

Section 5. Manner of obtaining ballots. The voter shall approach the head of the board of election
inspectors and present his/her ID or registration form. The voter shall affix his/her
signature in the book of voters. If the name of the voter is missing in the book of voters,
the head of the board shall refer said voter to the Secretariat of the Commission, hereinafter
referred to as SEC Secretariat.

Section 6. Authentication of the ballots. The head of the board, in full view of those present, shall
first sign the back of the ballot before issuing such ballot to the voter. No ballot shall be
pre-signed by the head of the board.

Section 7. Manner of voting.

a. The voter, upon receiving a ballot, shall proceed to the area designated by the board for
voters in casting their votes, and shall write on the ballot the names of the official
candidates or political parties corresponding to the number of spaces on the ballot;
b. After the voted has filled his/her ballot, he/she shall fold it in the same manner as when
he/she received it and return it to the head of the board;
c. The head of the board shall, in full view of the voter and the members of the board, and
without unfolding the ballot or seeing its content, verify the serial number of such
ballot from the book of voters where it was previously entered.
d. In the presence of the member of the board, the voter shall affix his/her right thumb
mark in the corresponding space on the coupon;
e. The head of the board, after finding that everything is in order, shall give permission to
the voter to deposit the folded ballot in the ballot box; and
f. The voter shall depart.

Section 8. Prohibitions on voting. It shall be unlawful for a voter to:

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 a. Fill his/her ballot accompanied by another, except in the case of person with disability;
b. Fill his/her own ballot for a longer than necessary;
c. Exhibit the contents of his ballot to another;
d. Erase any printing from the ballot;
e. Intentionally tear and deface the ballot;
f. Put any distinguishing mark thereon;
g. Use any carbon paper, paraffin paper, or other means of making a copy of the contents
of the ballot; or
h. Make use of any other scheme to identify his/her vote.

Section 9. Disposition of the unused official ballots. The head of the board of election inspectors
shall tear in half lengthwise all unused ballots in the presence of the board and watchers,
and such torn ballots shall be place in the appropriate envelope, duly sealed and signed,
and submitted to the Executive Board of the Commission. Such fact shall be entered in the
minutes of the board.

Section 10. Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes. The board shall prepare and certify the facts
stated in the minutes of voting and counting of votes in a form duly prescribed by the
Commission.

Section 11. End of Voting Period. At the end of the voting period, the board of election inspectors
shall take a break to take their dinner and resume the meeting for the counting of votes at
exactly nine o’clock in the evening (9:00 p.m.). Unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission, the board shall not adjourn, postpone or delay the counting of the votes until
all election returns and certificate of votes have been completed.

Section 12. Change of venue. When for any serious cause such as disorder, violence or terrorism or
threats of violence or terrorism, or the possibility of loss or destruction of election
paraphernalia or records, and other analogous causes of such nature that the counting of
votes should become impossible to conduct in the present venue, the Commission may, in
the interest of public safety, order the board of election inspectors to conduct the counting
of votes in another site, preferably in a secured and well-lighted area of the building.

Section 13. Appreciation of Ballots. In the reading and appreciation of ballots, every ballot shall be
presumed to be valid unless there is a clear and good reason to justify its rejection. The
board of election inspectors shall observe the following rules, bearing in mind that the
object of the election is to obtain the expression of the voter’s will:

a. Where only the first name or surname of a candidate is written on the ballot, such vote
is valid if there is no other candidate with the same first name or surname for the same
office;

b. Where only the first name of a candidate is written which when read sounds similar to
the surname of another candidate, the vote shall be counted in favour of the candidate
with such surname;

c. When two or more words are written on different lines on the ballot all of which are the
surnames of two or more candidates bearing the same surname for an office for which
the law authorizes the election of more than one and there are the same number of such
surnames written as there are candidates with that surname, the vote shall be counted in
favor of all the candidates bearing the surname;

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d. When on the ballot is written a single word which is the first name of a candidate and
which is at the same time the surname of his opponents, such vote shall not be counted
for either candidate; When two words are written on the ballot, one of which is the first
name of the candidate and the other is the surname of his opponent, the vote shall not
be counted for either;

e. A name or surname incorrectly written which, when read, has a sound similar to the
name or surname of the candidate when correctly written shall be counted in his
favour;

f. When a name of a candidate appears in a space of the ballot for an office for which he
is a candidate and in another space for which he is not a candidate, it shall be counted
in his favour for the office for which he is a candidate and the vote for the office for
which he is not a candidate shall be considered as stray vote, except when it is used as
a means to identify the voter, in which case, the whole ballot shall be void;

g. If the word or words written on the appropriate blank on the ballot is the identical name
or surname or full name, as the case maybe, of two or more candidates for the same
office, the vote shall be counted in favor of that candidate to whose ticket belong all the
other candidates voted for on the same ballot for the same constituency;

h. When in a space in the ballot there appears a name of a candidate that is erased and
another clearly written, the vote is valid for the latter;

i. Ballots that contain prefixes such as “Sr.”, “Mr.”, “Datu”, “Don”,”Ginoo”, “Hon.”,
“Gob.” or suffixes like “Hijo”, “Jr.”, “Segundo”, are valid;

j. The use of the nicknames and appelations of affection and friendship, if accompanied
by the first name or surname of the candidate, does not annul such vote, except when
they were used as a means to identify the voter, in which case the whole ballot is
invalid: Provided, That if the nickname used is unaccompanied by the name or
surname of a candidate and it is the one by which is generally or popularly known in
the locality, the name shall be counted in favor of said candidate, if there is no other
candidate for the same office with the same nickname;

k. Any vote containing initials only or which is illegible or which does not sufficiently
identify the candidate for whom it is intended shall be considered as a stray vote shall
not invalidate the whole ballot;

l. If on the ballot is correctly written the first name of a candidate but with a different
surname, or the surname of the candidate is correctly written but with different first
name, and there is no other candidate with the same first name or surname running for
the same office, the vote shall be counted in the favour of the candidate having such
first name or surname, except when it is used as a means to identify the voter, in which
case, such vote shall be considered stray, but shall not affect the validity of the other
voters therein;

m. Any ballot written with crayon, lead pencil, or in ink, wholly or in part, shall be valid;

n. Where there are two or more candidates voted for in an office, all of which are
candidates for the same office, but for which the law authorizes the election for only

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 one, the vote shall not be counted for any of such candidate, but shall not affect the
validity of the other votes therein;

o. If the candidates voted for exceed the number of those to be elected, the ballot is valid,
but the votes shall be counted only in favour of the candidates whose names where
firstly written by the voter within the spaces provided for said office in the ballot until
the authorized number of names has been covered;

p. Any vote in favour of a person who has not filed a certificate of candidacy or in favor
of a candidate for an office for which he did not present himself shall be considered as
a stray vote but it shall not invalidate the whole ballot;

q. Ballots containing the name of a candidate printed and pasted on a blank space of the
ballot or affixed thereto through any mechanical process are totally null and void;

r. Circles, crosses or lines put on the spaces on which the voter has not voted shall be
considered as signs to indicate his desistance from voting and shall not invalidate the
ballot;

s. Unless it should clearly appear that they have been deliberately put by the voter to
serve as identification marks, commas, dots, lines, or hyphens between the first name
and surname of a candidate, or in other parts of the ballot, traces of the letters of the
alphabet, the first letters or syllables of names which the voter does not continue to
complete, the use of two or more kinds of writing and unintentional or accidental
flourishes, strokes, or strains, shall not invalidate the ballot;

t. Any ballot that clearly appears to have been filled by two distinct persons before it was
deposited in the ballot box during the voting is totally null and void;

u. Any vote cast in favour of a candidate who has been disqualified by final judgement
shall be considered as stray and shall not be counted but it shall not invalidate the
ballot;

v. The accidental tearing or perforation of a ballot does not annul it; and

w. Failure to remove the detachable coupon from a ballot does not annul such ballot.

Section 14. After the counting of votes.

a. When all ballots have been read, the poll clerk and the third member, if present, shall
each count the sub-total of the votes obtained by each candidate and thereafter, write
the final totals in votes and in figures at the space provided for the purpose in the
election returns and the tally sheet or board;

b. In case of a discrepancy in the sub-totals and the final totals, or the totals in words or in
figures, a recounting shall be done;

c. Sheet or board, a rereading and recounting shall be done;

d. All used ballots shall be placed in the corresponding envelope, sealed, signed by the
board, and deposited inside the ballot box; and

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 e. Sheets shall be certified by the board and the watchers present before taken down,
folded, and secured in an appropriate wrapper or covering.

Section 15. Alterations and corrections in the election returns. Any correction or alteration made in
the election returns before the announcement of the results of the election in the polling
place shall be duly initialled by all members of the board of election inspectors.

After the announcement of the results of the election in the polling place has been made,
the board of election inspectors shall not make any alteration or amendment in any of the
copies of the election returns unless so ordered by the Executive Board of the Commission,
in which case, all alterations or amendments that shall be made to election returns shall be
conducted by the board of election inspectors upon approval of the Executive Board of the
Commission at the times the board of canvassers are meeting to canvass election returns:
Provided, that before any alteration or amendment is made on any of the election returns,
the Commission shall call all the watchers concerned in order that they may witness such
alterations or amendments to the election returns.

Section 16. Delivery of the ballot boxes, keys, election supplies and documents. Upon termination
of the counting of votes, the board of election inspectors shall place inside the ballot box,
the envelopes for used ballots hereinbefore referred to, the envelope for unused ballots,
tally sheet, and minutes of its proceedings, and then shall lock the box with padlocks and
safety devices as the Commission may prescribe. The key of the ballot box and the copies
of the election returns shall be in the custody of the chairperson of the board of election
inspectors.

The ballot box, all supplies, and all pertinent papers and documents shall immediately be
delivered by the board of election inspectors and the watchers to the Commission. The
book of voters, certified list of voters, keys to the ballot box and election returns shall be
delivered to the Executive Board of the Commission.

The Executive Board shall immediately inspect all delivered forms, documents, and
supplies and shall determine if anything is missing.

Section 17. Preservation of the certified voters list and the book of voters. The book of voters and
the certified list of voters shall be stored by the Commission in a safe place within its
office.

Section 18. Preservation of the ballot boxes, their keys and disposition of their contents. The
ballot boxes shall be stored by the Commission in a safe place within its office, or in a
secured room outside its office with the key to such room in custody of the Commission.
The keys to the ballot boxes shall be in the custody of the Executive Board. After the
canvass of election returns and proclamation of winners, all ballots shall remain unopened
for a minimum period of six (6) months except when a valid petition for recount is granted,
or an election within six (6) months has been scheduled by the Commission, in which case
the contents of each ballot box shall be contained in separate storage materials or devices
for safekeeping.

Section 19. Documents and articles omitted or erroneously placed inside the ballot box. If after
the delivery of the keys to the ballot box to the Executive Board of the Commission, the
board of election inspectors shall discover that some documents of articles required to be
place in the ballot box were not placed therein, such documents or articles shall be

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 delivered to the Executive Board of the Commission. The ballot boxes shall be reopened
only to facilitate the canvas of the election returns

Section 20. Certification of votes. After the counting of votes in the precinct and announcement of the
results of the election, and before leaving the polling place, the board of election inspectors
may, whenever practicable, issue a certificate of votes to the duly accredited watchers. The
certificate of votes shall contain the number of votes obtained by each candidate, witten in
words and in figures, the number of precinct, the total number of voters who voted in
precinct, the date and time said certificate was issued, and shall be signed and thumb
marked by each member of the board.

Section 21. Certificate of votes as evidence. The certificate of votes shall be admissible in evidence to
prove tampering, alteration, fabrication. falsification, or any anomaly committed in the
election returns concerned, when duly authenticated by testimonial or documentary
evidence presented to the board of election inspectors who issued the certificate: Provided,
That the failure to present any certificate of votes shall not be a hindrance to the
presentation of other evidence to dispute the authenticity of the election returns.

Section 22. Certificate of votes admissible in canvass. The certificate of votes shall be admissible as
basis for canvass if proven beyond doubt that the election returns have indeed been
tampered, altered, falsified or by any means that clearly show an anomaly has been
committed in the election returns concerned, when duly authenticated by testimonial or
documentary evidence presented to the board of canvassers by at least two members of the
board of election inspectors who issued the certificate: Provided, That this section should
not be misconstructed as a means to replace the fundamental purpose of the election
returns.

Section 23. Board of canvassers. There shall be a board of canvassers composed of chairperson of
said board, the chairpersons of each board of election inspectors, one representative from
each registered political party, and the officers of the Executive Board as members thereof.

Section 24. Vote required. A majority vote of all the members of the board of canvassers shall be
necessary to render a decision.

Section 25. Supervision and control over board of canvassers. The Commission shall have direct
control and supervision over the board of canvassers.

Any member of the board of canvassers may, at any time, be relieved for just cause and
substituted or filled by another person at the discretion of the Executive Board of the
Commission.

Section 26. Notice of meeting of the board. At least one (1) day before the meeting of the board, the
chairperson of the board of canvassers shall give notice to all members thereof and to each
candidate and political party of the date, time and place of the meeting.

Section 27. Manner of delivery and transmittal of election returns. All election returns shall be
properly placed in the envelope intended for such use that shall be sealed, signed, and
affixed with the imprint of the thumb of the right hand of all members of the board of
election inspectors and placed inside the ballot box that shall be locked with a padlock or
padlocks. Said ballot box containing the sealed election returns shall be personally
delivered by the members of the board of election inspectors to the board of canvassers
under proper receipt to be signed by all the members thereof.

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 Watchers of political parties, coalition of political parties, and other persons authorized by
the Commission shall have the right to accompany the members of the board of election
inspectors in the transmittal of the ballot boxes containing the election returns.

It shall be unlawful for any person to delay, obstruct, impeded, or prevent through force,
violence, coercion, intimidation the transmittal of the election returns or take away,
abscond, destroy, deface or mutilate, or substitute the election returns or the envelope or
the ballot box containing the election returns or to violate the rights of the watchers.

The watchers of political parties, coalitions of political parties and the candidates shall
have the right to accompany the members of the board of election inspectors in making the
delivery of the ballot box to the board of canvassers.

Section 28. Safekeeping of transmitted election returns. The board of canvassers shall keep the
ballot boxes containing the election returns in safe and secure room before and after the
canvass. The watchers of candidates, political parties, coalition of political parties shall
have the right to guard the room.

Section 29. Proceedings of the board of canvassers. The board of canvassers shall full authority to
keep order within the canvassing room or hall and its premises and enforce obedience to its
lawful orders. If any person shall refuse to obey the lawful order of the board of canvassers
or shall conduct himself in such disorderly manner as to disturb or interrupt its
proceedings, the board of canvassers may order any peace officer to take such person into
custody until the adjournment of the meeting of the board of canvassers.

Section 30. Canvass by the board. The board of canvassers shall meet not later than nine o’clock in
the evening (9:00 p.m.) of the election at the place designated by the Commission to
receive election returns and to immediately canvass those that may have already been
received. It shall meet continuously from day to day until the canvass is completed, and
may adjourn but only for the purpose of awaiting the other election returns from other
precincts/polling places. Each time the board adjourns, it shall make a total or all the votes
canvassed so far for each candidate for each office making available such data contained
therein to other interested parties. As soon as the other election returns are delivered, the
board shall immediately resume canvassing until all returns have been canvassed.

The board of canvassers shall prepare a certificate of canvass duly signed and affixed with
the imprint of the thumb of the right hand of each member, supported by a statement of the
votes received by each candidate in each precinct/polling place and, on the basis thereof,
shall proclaim as elected the candidates who obtained the highest number of votes cast.

Section 31. Canvassing committee. The board of canvassers may constitute such number of
canvassing committees as may be necessary to enable the board to complete the canvass
within the prescribed time. The committees shall be under the direct supervision and
control of the board of canvassers.

Section 32. Persons not allowed in the canvassing room. It shall be unlawful for any person or
groups not authorized by the Commission to enter the room where the canvassing of
election returns are held by the board of canvassers and within a radius of two (2) meters
from the exterior walls such room: Provided, That room where the canvassing of election
returns are held by the board of canvassers and within a radius of two (2) meters from the
exterior walls such room: Provided, That the board of canvassers by a majority vote, it

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 deemed necessary by it, may make a call in writing for the detail of any peace officer or
peace officers for their protection or for the protection of the election documents and
paraphernalia in the possession of the said board, or for the maintenance of peace and
order, in which case said peace officers, who shall be in proper uniform, shall stay outside
the room near enough to be easily called by the said board at any time.

Section 33. When the election returns are delayed, lost or destroyed. In case its copy of the election
returns is missing, the board of canvassers shall, by messenger or otherwise, obtain such
missing election returns from the board of election inspectors concerned, or if said returns
have been lost or destroyed, the board of canvassers, upon prior authority of the
Commission, may use any of the authentic copies of said election returns or a certified
copy of said election returns issued by the Commission, and forthwith direct its
representative to investigate the case and immediately report the matter to the Commission.

The board of canvassers, notwithstanding the fact that not all the election returns have been
received by it, may terminate the canvass, and proclaim the candidates elected on the basis
of the available election returns if the missing election returns will not affect the results of
the election.

Section 34. Material defects in the election returns. If it should clearly appear that some requisites in
form or data had been omitted in the election returns, the board of canvassers shall call for
all members if the board of the board of election inspectors concerned by the most
expeditious means, for the same board to effect the correction: Provided, That in case of
the omission in the board of canvassers shall require the board of election inspectors
concerned to complete the necessary data in the election returns and affix their initials and
signature: Provided, further, That if the votes omitted in the election returns cannot be
ascertained by other means except by recounting the ballots, the Commission, after
satisfying itself that the identity and integrity of the ballot box have not been violated, shall
order the board of election inspectors to open the ballot box, and, also after satisfying itself
that the integrity of the ballots therein has been duly preserved, shall order the board of
election inspectors to count the votes for the candidate whose votes have been omitted with
notice thereof to all candidates for the position involved and thereafter complete the
election returns.

The right of a candidate to avail of this provision shall not be lost or affected by the fact
that an election protest is subsequently filed by any of the candidates.

Section 35. When election returns appear to be tampered with or falsified. If the election returns
submitted to the board of canvassers appear to be tampered with, altered or falsified after
they have left the hands of the board of election inspectors, or otherwise not authentic, or
were prepared by the board of election inspectors under duress, force, intimidation, or
prepared by persons other than the member of the board of election inspectors, the board of
canvassers shall use the other copies of said election returns and, if necessary, the copy
inside the ballot box which upon previous authority given by the Commission may be
retrieved in accordance Article VIII, Section 34 hereof. If the copies of the election returns
are likewise tampered with, altered, falsified, not authentic, prepared under duress, force,
intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the members of the board of election
inspectors, the board of canvassers or any candidate affected shall bring the matter to the
attention of the Commission. The Commission shall then, after giving notice to all
candidates concerned and after satisfying itself that nothing in the ballot box indicate that
its identity and integrity have been violated, order the board of election inspectors to

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 recount the votes of the candidates affected and prepare a new election return which shall
then be used by the board of canvassers as basis of the canvass.

Section 36. Elections resulting in tie. Whenever it shall appear from the canvass that two or more
candidates have received an equal and highest number of votes, or in cases where two or
more candidates received the same number of votes for the last place in the number to be
elected, the board of canvassers, after recording this facts in its minutes, shall, by a
resolution through the Executive Board of the Commission, upon one (1) week notice to all
ties candidates, hold a special public meeting at which the board of canvassers shall
proceed to the drawing of lots of the candidates who have tied and shall proclaim as
elected the candidate who may be favored by luck, and the candidate so proclaimed shall
have the right to assume office in the same manner as if he had been elected by plurality of
vote. The board of canvassers shall forthwith make a certificate stating the name of the
candidate who had been favored by luck and his proclamation on the basis thereof.

Nothing in this section shall be constructed as depriving a candidate of his right to contest
the election.

Section 37. Disposition of witnesses in the hearings and proceedings of the Commission. In all
hearings, inquiries, and proceedings of the Commission, including preliminary
investigations of election offenses, no person called to testify as a witness shall be excused
from attending and testifying or from producing books, papers, correspondence,
memoranda, and other records on the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary
or otherwise, required of him, may tend to incriminate him or subject him to prosecution:
Provided, That no person shall be prosecuted on account of any matter concerning which
he is compelled, after having claimed the privilege of self-incrimination, to testify and
produce evidence, documentary or otherwise.

Section 38. Immunity from prosecution. Under such terms and conditions as it may determine, the
Commission may grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or
whose possession and production of documents or other evidence may be necessary to
determine the truth in any hearing, inquiry or proceedings being conducted by the
Commission or under its authority, in the performance or in the furtherance of its
constitutional functions and statutory objectives.

Section 39. Limitations of immunity. The immunity granted under the preceding sections shall not
exempt the witness from prosecution for perjury or false testimony.

Article X
PRE-PROCLAMATION CONTROVERSIES

Section 1. Definition. A pre-proclamation controversy refers to any question pertaining to or

affecting the proceedings of the board of canvassers which may be raised by any candidate
or by any registered political parties before the board or directly to the Executive Board of
the Commission, or any matter relating to the preparation, custody, and appreciation of the
election returns.

Section 2. The Commission’s exclusive jurisdiction over all pre-proclamation controversies. The
Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all pre-proclamation controversies. It may,
by itself, or upon written petition, and after due notice and hearing, order the partial or total
suspension of the proclamation of any candidate-elect or annul partially or totally any

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 proclamation, if one has been made, as the evidence shall warrant in accordance with the
succeeding sections.

Section 3. Issues that may be raised in pre-proclamation controversy. The following shall be
proper issues that may be raised in a pre-proclamation controversy:
a.) Illegal composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers;

b.) The canvassed election returns are incomplete, contain material defects, appear to be
tampered with or falsified, or contain discrepancies in the data entered in the pages of the
election returns; and

c.) The election returns were prepared under duress, threats, coercion, or intimidation, or
they are obviously manufactured or not authentic.

Section 4. Contested composition or proceedings of the board. When the composition or

proceedings of the board of canvassers are contested, the board of canvassers shall, within
twenty-four (24) hours, make a ruling thereon with notice to the person contesting such
composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers who, if adversely affected, may
appeal the matter to the Executive Board of the Commission within three (3) days after the
ruling with proper notice to the board of canvassers. After due notice and hearing, the
Commission may suspend the canvass and shall decide the case within (1) week from the
filing thereof, after which the Commission shall order the continuation or resumption
thereof and cite the reasons or ground thereof.

Section 5. Questions affecting the composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers.

Questions affecting the composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers may be
initiated in the board or directly with the Executive Board of the Commission.

Section 6. Contested election returns. Any candidate, political party or coalition of political parties,
contesting the inclusion or exclusion of the canvass of any election returns on any of the
grounds authorized under this Article shall submit their oral objection to the chairperson of
the board of the canvassers at the time the questioned election returns is presented for
inclusion or exclusion in the canvass. Such objection shall be noted in the minutes of the
canvassing.

The boards of canvassers shall, upon receipt of any such objections, automatically defer
the canvass of the contested returns and shall proceed to canvass the rest of the election
returns that are not contested by any party.

Simultaneous with the oral objection, the objecting party shall also submit his objections in
written form to the board of canvassers. Within twenty-four (24) hours from and after the
presentation of such objection, the objecting party shall submit the evidence in support of
the objection, which shall be attached to the form for written objections. Within the same
period of twenty-four (24) hours, any party may file a written objection and verified
opposition to the objection in the same form as prescribed by the Commission, attaching
thereto supporting evidence, if any. The board of canvassers shall not entertain any
objection or opposition unless reduced to writing in the prescribed form.

The evidence attached to the objection or opposition submitted by the parties shall
immediately and formally admitted into records of the board of canvassers by the
chairperson affixing his signature at the back of each and every page thereof. Upon receipt
of the evidence, the board of canvassers shall take up each contested election returns,

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 consider the written objections thereto, and appositions, if any, and summarily rule
thereon. The board of canvassers shall enter its ruling on the prescribed form and
authenticate the same by the signatures of the members of the board of canvassers.

Any party adversely affected by the ruling of the board shall immediately inform the board
if he intends to appeal said ruling. The board shall enter said information in the minutes of
the canvass, set aside the election returns and proceed to consider the other election
returns.

After all the uncontested election returns have been canvassed and the contested election
returns ruled upon by it, the board shall suspend the canvass. Within twenty-four (24)
hours therefrom, any party adversely affected by the ruling may file with the board a
written and verified notice of appeal; and within the period of one (1) week thereafter, an
appeal may be taken to the Executive Board of the Commission.

Immediately upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the board shall make an appropriate
report to the Executive Board of the Commission, elevating therewith the complete records
and evidences submitted in the canvass.

On the basis of the records and evidence elevated to it by the board, the Executive Board of
the Commission shall decide summarily the appeal within one (1) week from the receipt of
said records and evidence.

Any appeal brought before the Executive Board of the Commission on the ruling of the
board of canvassers, without the accomplished forms and evidence appended thereto, shall
summarily be dismissed.

The decision of the Executive Board of the Commission shall be executory after the lapse
of two (2) days from the receipt thereof by the losing party.

The board of canvassers shall not proclaim any candidate as winner unless authorized by
the Executive Board of the Commission after the latter has ruled on the objections brought
to it on appeal by the losing party. Any proclamation made in violation hereof shall be
void, unless the contested election returns shall not adversely affect the results of election.

Section 7. Partial Proclamation. Notwithstanding the pending of any pre-proclamation controversy,

the Commission may, by itself or upon filing of a verified petition and after due notice and
hearing, order the proclamation of the other winning candidates whose election will not be
affected by the outcome of the controversy.

Section 8. Effect of filing petition to annul or to suspend the proclamation. The filing with the
Commission of a petition to annul or to suspend the proclamation of any candidate shall
suspend the running of the period within which to file an election protest.

Section 9. Summary disposition of pre-proclamation controversies. All pre-proclamation

controversies on the election returns or certificates of canvass shall, on the basis of the
records and evidences elevated to it by the board of canvassers, be disposed of summarily
by the Executive Board of the Commission within one (1) week from receipt thereof. Its
decision shall be final and executory after the lapse of two (2) days from receipt by the
losing party of the decision of the Executive Board of the Commission.

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 ARTICLE XI
ELECTION CONTESTS

Section 1. Jurisdiction of the Commission. The commission shall be the sole judge of all contest
relating to the elections, returns and qualifications of all elective Student Council officers.

Section 2. Election contest for Student Council Officers. A sworn petition contesting the election
of any Student Council officer shall be filed with the Commission by any candidate who
has duly filed a certificate of candidacy and has been voted for the same office within one
(1) week after the proclamation of the results of the election.

Section 3. Procedure in election contest. The Commission shall prescribe the rules to govern the
procedure and other matters relating to the election contests. Such rules shall provide a
simple and inexpensive procedure for the expeditious disposition of election contest and
shall be published in the appropriate bulletin boards within the university.

Section 4. Judicial counting of votes in election contest. Where allegations in a protest or counter-
protest so warrant, or whenever in the opinion of the court the interests of justice so
require, it shall immediately order the book of voters, the ballot boxes and their keys,
ballots and other documents used in the election be brought before it and that the ballots be
examined, and the votes be recounted.

Section 5. Appeals. Appeals from any decision rendered by the Commission may be appealed to the
Student Tribunal of the Student Council. The appeal shall be decided within one (1) week
after the case has been submitted for decision.

Section 6. Decision on the Commission. The Commission shall decide all election cases brought
before it within one (1) week from the date of its submission for decision. The decision of
the commission shall become final after three (3) days after receipts of judgement.

Section 7. Preferential disposition of contests in the Judicial Body. The Judicial Body, in their
respective cases, shall give preference to election contests over all other cases and shall,
without delay, hear within two (2) weeks from the date of submission for decision, but in
every case within one (1) month after filing, decide the same.

Section 8. Notice of decisions. The commission shall notify immediately the Chairperson of the
Student Council of the final disposition of all cases, including all decisions reached on the
appeals.

Article XII
ELECTION OFFENSES

Section 1. Prohibited Acts. The following shall be guilty of an election offense:

a.) Vote – buying and vote – selling

(1) Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, makes
or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to
be made to any person or group of persons in order to induce anyone or the public

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 in general to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a
candidate in a meeting, caucus, assembly, convention, conference or other similar
selection process of a political party.

(2) Any person or groups of person who solicits or receives, directly or indirectly,
any expenditure or promise of any favor, preference, partiality, or special treatment
for any of the foregoing considerations.

b.) Conspiracy to bribe voters. – Two or more persons, whether candidates or not, who
come to an agreement concerning the commission of any violation of paragraph (a) of
this section and decided to commit such violation.

c.) Coercion of subordinates. –

(1) Any appointed or elected officers of ‘the Student Council or any officer of any
club or organization under the student council who coerces or intimidates or
compels, or in any manner of influence, directly or indirectly, any of his
subordinates or members to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate or
any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.

(2) Any appointed or elected officer of the Student Council or any officer of any
club or organization under the student council who dismisses, forces out, or expels
or threatens to dismiss, force out, or expel, or punishes or threatens to punish by
demotion, suspension, separation, excommunication, expulsion, or causing him
aggravation in the performances of his duties or in his membership, any
subordinate member of affiliate for disobeying or not complying with any of the
acts ordered by the former to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate or
any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.

d.) Threats, intimidation, terrorism, use of fraudulent device or other forms of coercion.
Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates or actually causes, inflicts
or produces any violence, injury, punishment, damage, loss or disadvantage upon any
person or persons or to his honour or property, or uses any fraudulent device or scheme
to compel or induce the refraining from participation in or desistance from any
campaign, or the casting of any vote or omission to vote, or any promise of such
campaign, vote or omission therefrom.

e.) Coercion of members of the Commission, including election officials and authorized
affiliates. Any person, who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or
coerces any member of the Commission, election official or authorized affiliate in the
performance of his election functions or duties.

f.) Intervention of elected and appointed Student Council officers and deputies. – Any
elected and appointed Student Council officer or deputy who, directly and indirectly,
intervenes in any election campaign or engages in any partisan political activity, except
to vote.

g.) Unlawful electioneering. – It is unlawful to solicit votes or undertake any propaganda

on the day of election, for or against any candidate or any political party within the
polling place and within the radius of thirty (30) meters thereof.

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h.) Use of Student Council funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned
and controlled by the student council for an election campaign. – Any person who uses
under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly,

(1.) Student council funds or money deposited with, or held in trust by, student
council offices or banks;
(2.) Any printing press, photocopying apparatus or audio-visual equipment
operated by the Student Council or by its divisions; or
(3.) Any equipment, facility, apparatus, or paraphernalia owned by the Student
Council or by its divisions for any election campaign or for any partisan political
activity.

i.) Deadly weapons. – Any person who carries any deadly weapon in the university on any
given day.

j.) On voting:

(1) Any person who votes more than once in the same election, or who, not being a
registered student, votes in an election.

(2) Any person who votes in substitution for another whether with or without the
latter’s knowledge and/or consent.

(3) Any person who, not being physically disabled, allows his ballot to be prepared
by another, or any person who prepares the ballot of another who is not physically
disabled, with or without the latter’s knowledge and/or consent.

(4) Any person who avails himself of any means of scheme to discover the contents
of the ballot of a voter who is preparing or casting his vote or who has just voted.

(5) Any voter who, in the course of voting, uses a ballot other than the one given by
the board of election inspectors or has in his possession more than one official
ballot.

(6) Any person who detains a voter without lawful cause, or molests him in such a
manner as to obstruct or prevent him from going to the polling place to cast his
vote or from leaving the polling place after casting his vote.

(7) Any member of the board of election inspectors charged with the duty of
reading the ballot during the counting of votes that deliberately omits to read the
vote duly written on the ballot, or reads the name of the candidate where no name is
written in the ballot.

(8) Any member of the board of election inspectors who has intentionally and
maliciously made possible the casting of more vote than there are registered voters
in the precinct assigned to him.

(9) Any person who, for the purpose of disrupting or obstructing the election
process or causing information or transmits or circulates false orders, directives or
messages regarding any matter relating to the postponement of the election, the
transfer of polling place or the general conduct of the election.

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 (10) Any person who, without legal authority, destroys, substitutes or takes away
from the possession of those having legal custody thereof, or from the place where
they are legally deposited, any election form or document or ballot box which
contains official ballots or other documents used in the election.

(11) Any person having legal custody of the ballot box containing the official
ballots used in the election who intentionally, maliciously and unofficially opens or
destroys the ballot box, or removes or destroys its contents, or who, through his
negligence or intentional doing, enables any person to commit any of the
aforementioned acts or the taking away of said ballot box from his custody.

(12) Any member of the board of election inspectors who intentionally and
maliciously uses ballots other than the official ballots, unless the use of emergency
ballots is authorized by the Executive Board of the Commission.

(13) Any member of the Commission who intentionally and maliciously cause to
avoid preserving or to account for any ballot box, election document and/or
election form received by him and kept under his custody.

(14) Any person who reveals the contents of the ballot of a disabled or physically
handicapped voter whom he had assisted in preparing a ballot.

(15) Any person who, without authority, transfers the location of a precinct or a
polling place.

(16) Any person who, without authority, prints or causes the printing of any ballot
or election returns that appears as official ballots or official election returns and/or
distributes or causes the distribution of such counterfeit unofficial ballots and/or
election returns in the election, whether or not they are actually used.

(17) Any person who, without authority, uses or caries out or causes to be used or
carried out, any official ballot or official election returns, or in possession thereof
while within the university premises during the election period.

(18) Any person, who, through any act, means or device, violates the integrity of
any official ballot or official election returns before or after they are used in the
election.

(19) Any person who intentionally and maliciously removes, tears, defaces or
destroys any certified list of candidates posted within the vicinity of the polling
place during the hours of voting.

(20) Any person who holds or causes the holding of an election on a day not fixed
by the Commission as the official day of the election, or stops any election being
legally held.

(21) Any person who, intentionally and maliciously blurs his fingerprint in the
voting record being controlled by the Commission.

k.) On Canvassing:

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 (1) Any member of the board of election inspectors or board of canvassers who
deliberately makes himself absent from the meetings of said body for the purpose
of obstructing or delaying the performance of its duties or functions.

(2) Any person who, being ineligible for appointment as members of any board of
election inspectors or board of canvassers, accepts an appointment to said body,
assumes the position, and actually serves as a members thereof, knowing that he is
ineligible to be a member thereof.

(3) Any person who, in the presence or within the hearing of any board of election
inspectors or board of canvassers during any of its meetings, conducts himself in
such a disorderly manner as to interrupt or disrupt the work or proceedings to the
end of preventing said body from performing its functions, either partly or totally.

(4) Any elected or appointed Student Council officer or any person acting in his
behalf who relieves any member of any board of election inspectors or board of
canvassers or who changes or causes the change of assignments of any member of
said board of election inspectors or board of canvassers without the authority of the
Commission.

l.) On candidacy and campaign:

(1) Any person who ruins or cancels any certificate of candidacy duly filed and
which has not been officially cancelled by the Commission.

(2) Any person who misleads the Commission by submitting any false or spurious
certificate of candidacy or document to the prejudice of a candidate.

(3) Any person who receives any certificate of candidacy outside the period for
filing the same and makes it appear that said certificate of candidacy was filed on
time.

(4) Any person who, by means of fraud, threat, intimidation, terrorism or coercion,
causes or compels the commission of receiving any certificate of candidacy outside
the period for filing the same and making it appear that said certificate of candidacy
was filed on time.

(5) Any person who by any device or means, obstructs or interferes with the
transmission or announcement of any lawful election campaign or political activity
in public.

(6) Any person who solicits votes or undertakes any propaganda, on the day of
election, for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place
or within a radius of thirty (30) meters thereof.

m.) Other prohibitions:

(1) Any person who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, serves or takes intoxicating liquor
within the university premises on any given day.

(2) Any person who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, or smokes cigarettes within the
university premises on any given day.

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 (3) Any person who opens within a radius of thirty (30) meters of any polling place
on election day and during the counting of votes, booths or stalls of any kind for the
sale, dispensing or display of wares, merchandise.

(4) Failure to submit the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures within 3

(three) working days after the day of election.

ARTICLE XIII
PROCLAMATION

Section 1. Proclamations. Upon the completion of the canvass of the votes by the Board of
Canvassers, the persons obtaining the highest number of votes for Central Student Council,
Faculty and Institute Representatives, Sectoral Representatives, Freshmen Assembly.

In case there are certificates of canvass of votes which have not been submitted to the Head
of the Board of Canvassers (HBOC) on account of missing election returns, a proclamation
may be made if the missing certificates will not affect the results of the election.

In case the certificates of canvass which were not submitted on account of missing election
returns will affect the results of the election, no proclamation shall be made. The HBOC
shall immediately instruct the other members of board of canvassers concerned to obtain
the missing election returns from the board/s of election inspectors or, if the returns have
been lost or destroyed upon prior authority from the Commission, to use any authentic
copy of said election returns for the purpose of conducting the canvass, and thereafter issue
the certificates of canvass. The certificates of canvass shall be immediately transmitted to
the HBOC of the Commission

Proclamation shall be made only upon submission of all certificates of canvass or when the
missing certificates of canvass will not affect the results of the election.

Section 2. Turnover of all of Documents. The incumbent officer/s of the Central Student Council
mandated to turn over all the documents, facilities and equipment of the said office on the
day of the induction of the newly elected officers of Central Student Council, and the
newly elected officer will assume their office after the induction day.

Article XIV
Effectivity

Section 1. Effectivity. – This Election Code shall take effect immediately upon the approval of the
Executive Body.

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