1,134 ‘flying voters’ uncovered in Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao — The Commission on Elections here has uncovered 1,134 double registrants in its list of voters for the May 2010 automated elections.

Lawyer Jerome Bantiyan of Comelec-Ifugao disclosed the double registration was discovered recently after the poll body’s central office furnished a copy of the list of voters to the provincial office.

Among the 11 municipalities of the province, Tinoc, one of the province’s remotest towns, has the highest number of double registered voters with 202. Other towns with double registrants are: Hingyon, 148; Asipulo, 117; Alfonso Lista, 107; Lagawe, 102; Hungduan, 90; Aguinaldo, 89; Lamut, 87; Kiangan, 80; Banaue, 72; and Mayoyao, 40.

Bantiyan noted some voters registered in two voting places at the same day as reflected in the dates of their registration.

The Comelec provincial, municipal, and city offices nationwide are now busy finalizing the list of voters which will be computerized in time for the conduct of the first-ever automated elections.

The double registrants will be appropriately given notices in order for them to immediately make the necessary corrections so that they could identify which polling place they will choose to vote.

If the double registrants will not make the necessary corrections in their respective registrations, the Comelec will be constrained to file the appropriate criminal charges against them before the Regional Trial Court.

Those found guilty of double registration face a prison term ranging from two years to six years at the discretion of the court. – Dexter A. See