Comelec removes two poll watchers for shading ballots

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) removed two poll watchers in Abra after a viral video showed them shading ballots for voters on Election Day.

Netizen Joy Bernos posted the video, which has garnered 20 million views and prompted formal charges against the poll watchers.

Comelec Chair George Garcia stated that poll watchers have no authority to assist voters in filling out ballots; only relatives or electoral board members are allowed to do so.

Shading ballots for others inside a polling precinct is considered an election offense, according to Garcia, with penalties ranging from one to six years imprisonment.

Polling authorities who permitted the poll watchers to help senior citizens may also face consequences.

Garcia emphasized that poll watchers' role is to observe and maintain the integrity of elections by ensuring compliance with electoral rules.