A Poll Watcher’s experience: An eye-opener and a call to action
The recent local elections in a small town in Ilocos Sur were supposed to be a celebration of democracy. For me, they turned into an eye-opener, a disappointment, and a call to action. I volunteered as a poll watcher for the first time because my mother, a retired local government employee with an untarnished record of service, ran for mayor. My goal was plain and simple: observe, protect the integrity of the elections, and do my part as a citizen.
What I witnessed in the precinct wasn’t violence, but something subtle and alarming.
At around 3 p.m. on May 12, 2025, while voting was still ongoing, a poll watcher (who was not part of our team) handed out snacks and drinks in the precinct to teachers serving as the electoral board, supervising officer, and nonteaching support staff. This happened barely 30 minutes after my mother’s opponent had cast a ballot in the same precinct room.
I confronted the poll watcher, but my older brother intervened, pointing out that the person looked visibly shaken. Still, the act was finished and the implications were serious and should not be ignored.
For clarity, I asked the teachers in the precinct whether it was permissible to accept food during voting hours. When I asked, I was standing outside the precinct room and kept a respectful distance. I was met with silence and averted eyes. Their nonresponse spoke volumes.
Out of respect for the sanctity of the precinct and the privacy of the people involved, I did not take photos or videos of the incident. I believe in protecting voter confidentiality and avoiding any actions that might disrupt the process. But just because I chose not to document it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, or that it should be dismissed.
Unable to let the incident pass, I visited the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office immediately. The election officer told me that food distribution was allowed under an alleged agreement between Comelec and the candidates. Yet, when I asked for a copy of that agreement, none was shown.
Let me emphasize: this is not about merienda. It’s about ethics and professionalism.
The teachers and support staff who serve during elections are paid public servants. Their honoraria and meal allowance come from taxpayers, and with that payment comes a duty to stay neutral and above suspicion. Accepting merienda, especially from someone linked to a candidate while votes are being cast crosses a line. It may not be as blatant as ballot stuffing, but it destroys public trust just the same. As public servants, it is their duty to uphold the laws of the Republic and serve the Filipino people with honor and integrity.
On one hand, when I cast my vote before the incident occurred, I noticed that the vote counting machine stood so close to the teachers’ table that they could easily see the ballots being fed into the machine. For me, that arrangement risked violating ballot secrecy, which is fundamental to free and fair elections.
I intend to file formal complaints before the Department of Education and the Comelec. They must investigate, hold people accountable, and tighten regulations so this won’t happen in future elections.
This experience taught me that electoral corruption doesn’t always wear the mask of violence or outright fraud. Sometimes it arrives wrapped in hospitality and silence. Let’s hold everyone, from teachers to election officials, accountable.
TERESA MAY BANDIOLA,
bandiolateresamayb@gmail.com
