Sec. 18. Watchers. – Every registered political party or coalition of political parties fielding candidates, accredited political parties, sectoral party/organization or coalition thereof participating in the party-list system of representation, every candidate, accredited citizens’ arms and accredited OFW organizations shall be entitled to one (1) watcher at any given time during the voting and counting of votes.

For this purpose, registered political parties, coalition of political parties and every candidate, associations or organizations participating in the party-list system representation, accredited citizens’ arms and accredited OFW organizations shall submit to the Posts, copy furnished the COAV, its list of watchers per SBEI not later than five (5) days before the start of voting period.

However, if there is no sufficient space for all watchers to be accommodated, preference shall be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority parties as determined by the Commission, one (1) watcher for the accredited citizens’ arm, one (1) common watcher for accredited OFW organizations, and one (1) common watcher for the independent candidates.

Sec. 19. Qualifications of watchers. – No person shall be appointed watcher unless he:

a) Is an overseas absentee voter in the Post where he is assigned;

b) Is of good reputation;

c) Has not been convicted of any election offense or any crime;

d) Knows how to write and read English or Filipino; and

e) Is not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the chairman or to any member of the SBEI in the Post where he seeks appointment as watcher.

Sec. 20. Rights and duties of watchers. – Upon entering the polling place, the watchers shall present and deliver to the chairman of the SBEI their appointments and forthwith, their names shall be recorded in Part VI of OAVF No. 11 with a notation under their signatures that they are not disqualified to serve as such. The appointments of the watchers shall bear the personal or facsimile signature of the candidate or the duly authorized representative of the political party, organization or coalition of parties who appointed them or of organizations authorized by the Commission. For this purpose, registered political parties, organizations or coalitions authorized by the Commission, accredited citizens’ arms and OFW organizations, shall provide the COAV with the names and signatures of their representatives authorized to appoint watchers in each Post not later than March 26, 2010. The COAV will furnish the DFA-OAVS with the said names and signatures.

The watchers shall have the right to:

a) Witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the SBEI;

b) Take note of what they see or hear;

c) Take photograph of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the counting of votes, as well as of the election returns, tally board and ballot boxes/receptacles;

d) File a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which they believe may have been committed by the SBEI or by any of its members or by any person;

e) Obtain from the SBEI a certificate as to the filing of such protest and/or resolution thereon;

f) Read each ballot after it is read by the chairman, as well as the election returns after it is accomplished and signed by the members of the SBEI without touching such documents; and

g) Be furnished, upon request, with a Certificate of Votes (OAVF No.13) cast for the candidates, duly signed and thumb marked by the chairman and all members of the SBEI.

Watchers shall not speak to any member of the SBEI, or to any voter, or among themselves, in such a manner as would disturb the proceedings of the SBEI.

Article III

Table of Contents

Article V