Local Absentee Voting Act

Section 1

On motion of a party, the Commission may allow the photocopying or reproduction of the ballots claimed and/or objected by the parties, minutes of voting, election returns and audit logs. The photocopying or reproduction, if allowed, must start at the commencement of recount and, as far as practicable, must be completed simultaneously with the termination of recount.

Section 2

Photocopying of ballots and other documents, and the printing of ballot images shall be done within the premises of the Commission, or at or near the area where the recount is conducted, and shall be under the supervision of the Over-all Chairman of the Recount Committee or his duly authorized representative. The party concerned shall provide an efficient photocopying unit and shall bear all the expenses relative thereto.

Section 3

In case the parties deem it necessary, they may file a motion to be approved by the Division of the Commission requesting for the printing of ballot images in addition to those mentioned in the second paragraph of item (e). Parties concerned shall provide the necessary materials in the printing of images such as but not limited to copying papers, toners and printers. Parties may also secure, upon prior approval by the Division of the Commission, a soft copy of the ballot images contained in a secured/hashed disc on the condition that the ballot images be first printed, at the expense of the requesting party, and that the printed copies be signed by the parties respective revisors or representatives and by an ERSD IT-capable representative and deposited with the Commission. The Over-all chairman shall coordinate with the Director IV, Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD), for the printing of images. Said director shall in turn designate a personnel who will be responsible in the printing of ballot images.

Section 4

The parties will be directed to augment their cash deposit for the payment of the electricity consumed in the photocopying and/or printing of images, for the use of the system anent the printing of ballot images or in case the expenses for the sealing and retrieval of ballot boxes are taken from the cash deposit. Parties requesting for the photocopying of ballots and printing of images shall be required to make a deposit before the commencement of the recount proceedings at such amount as may be ordered. (as amended by COMELEC Resolution No. 9164)