Of Nuisance Candidates and Election Fraud Gurus

Banners, streamers, fliers. These, and countless other things showcasing a popular slogan, or an old cliche of campaign strategies. The Filipinos are all set for the senatorial and local election come May 14, 2007.

Prior to the start of election campaign, The Commission on Election (COMELEC) disclosed to the public the rules governing election 2007. With this rules come the announcement of approved candidates running for office, and the declaration of some nuisance candidates. Oddly, though, to this author's own opinion, it is somewhat improper to deprive someone his right to run for office. As indicated in the Philippine constitution, every filipino has the right to run for public office.

This author do not wish to question COMELEC's guidelines for the approval or disqualification of candidates, but, I would rather that I implement something that will improve the Philippine's electoral system, rather than trash a candidacy. There are more complicated aspect in this election that needs attention, such as the punishment for election fraud. Yes, Electon fraud. This has long been going on, I do not know exactly where it started, but I believe it was way, way back .

I dare the Filipino public, who happens to read this article, to comment on wether or not a legal punishment has been given to a faulty vote-counting. What about the people power in EDSA that threw presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada off the office? It was the filipino people that instigated it, and not the justice system.

Has any of you experienced election without hearing some ballot boxes swapped, or some candidate's names erased in a ballot, or the infamous vote-buying?

Election fraud is a serious crime. These cheaters should be punished because they are criminals. They are categorically defined as criminals, because they are killing democracy.

Sadly, though, punishment is so far-fetched, because the roots and the brains of all this cheating are the ones that are supposed to be the protectors of democracy. We, voters, wake up the next day facing another fake leader/s. Very, very pathetic.