Comelec: Votes for cancelled candidates are stray

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines has clarified that votes cast for candidates or parties whose certificates of candidacy are canceled by final judgment will be treated as stray votes.

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Kung maging final ang desisyon ng Comelec, walang restraining order mula sa Korte Suprema, lahat ng boto sa kanila ay stray.

This directive comes after the Moro Ako Party and Anwar Salipada Alamada had their motions for reconsideration denied concerning their registration and accreditation for the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections on September 14.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia explained that if the commission's decision is finalized and no restraining order is issued by the Supreme Court, all votes cast for these disqualified entities will be considered stray. The Moro Ako Party's appeal was denied due to allegations of declaring non-existent chapters, while Alamada's appeal was rejected because his residency declaration was found to be a "false material representation intended to mislead the electorate and the Commission."

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If the Comelec’s decision becomes final and there is no restraining order from the Supreme Court, all votes cast for them will be considered stray votes.

Garcia noted that while the second division has not yet reached a final decision on Alamada's case, candidates still have the option to file for a temporary restraining order with the Supreme Court. The clarification aims to ensure transparency and adherence to electoral rules in the BARMM elections.

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constitutes a false material representation intended to mislead the electorate and the Commission.