Comelec records fewer vote buying incidents in midterm elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) received a total of 689 reports of vote buying and abuse of state resources as of election day.

The number of vote buying and abuse of state resources cases recorded in this year's midterm elections is significantly lower than in the 2022 polls.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia identified Saturday, Sunday, and early Monday morning as critical periods for vote buying, including 'guarding' voters to prevent them from casting ballots.

Most vote buying still involves direct cash transactions, as digital platforms like GCash and PayMaya have been integrated with Comelec to prevent their misuse for illegal activities.

Garcia also warned the public against vote selling, noting that offering free rides, coffee, or food on election day constitutes vote buying and selling.

The Comelec will strictly enforce the liquor ban starting Sunday until election day, prohibiting drinking sessions outside of private residences and cockfighting.

The Comelec's Committee on Kontra Bigay reported that most vote buying complaints originated from Calabarzon, followed by Central Luzon and Metro Manila, with Laguna, Marikina, and Rizal being the top three affected areas.

The Comelec has monitored fewer reports of vote buying after the poll body ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest, even without a warrant, those caught in the act of committing the crime.

In Iloilo City, a 56-year-old jobless man was arrested for allegedly vote buying during a Comelec-PNP-Army checkpoint on May 11.