3. General Guidelines and Other Related
Rules and Regulations for the October 30, 2023
Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections
(BSKE) and all succeeding BSKEs thereafter.
RESOLUTION NO 10924

4. Article VI
Constitution,
Composition, and
Appointment of Electoral
Boards, DESO, and
Support Staff

5. Composition, Powers, and Functions of
Electoral Boards
(Sec.122 and 136)
Chairperson Poll Clerk
Third
Member

6. Qualification of Members of the Electoral
Board (Sec.124)
A registered voter in the city or municipality;
Of good moral character, known integrity and
competence;
Has never been convicted of any election
offense or of any crime punishable by more than
six (6) months of imprisonment, or has no
pending information for any election offense;
and
Able to speak and write Filipino, English, or the
local dialect.

7. Voting Privilege and Prohibition on Political
Activity of EB Members
(Sec. 137)
They are registered where
they are assigned.
They shall add their names
and precinct numbers and
the place where they are
actually registered in the
EDCVL. This will be noted in
the Minutes.
Can vote in Assigned
Polling Place if:
Voting in their place of assignment is light.
 Their absence shall not be for more than thirty (30)
minutes.
 The members of the EB shall schedule the voting
so that only one (1) member shall leave at any
given time.
 They must be given priority in voting.
 Exercising their voting privilege will be noted in
Minutes.
Can vote in Registered
Polling Place if:
NOTE:
No member of the EB shall engage in any partisan political activity or take part in the election except to vote and discharge his/her duties as such.

8. Honoraria, Allowances , Services Credits, and
Other Benefits
(Secs.148, 151)
Chairperson – Php 10,000
EB Member – Php 9,000
DESO – Php 9,000
Support Staff – Php 5,500
Service Credit – Minimum of five (5) says service credit
 Death Benefits – Php500,000 for those who died due to
election-related risk.
Medical Assistance – Amount not exceeding Php200,000
to those who suffered election-related injury or illness.

9. Legal Indemnification and Legal Assistance
(Sec. 152-153, 155-159)
 Services of a government or a private lawyer is authorized for
those who have rendered election-related service.
 Php50,000 as legal indemnification package shall be made
available to each claimant.
 For government lawyer – no claims for lawyer’s fees shall be
awarded.
 For private lawyer – The Commission, upon recommendation of
CCA, shall bear the reasonable lawyer’s fees.
 In the event that private lawyers accept the case “pro bono”, no
claims for lawyer’s fees shall be awarded.
 Legal costs – Filing fees, Mailing, Notarial fees, Gathering of and
photocopy of evidence.

10.  Claimant may avail by filing a request for legal
protection with the CCA.
 If upon evaluation, CCA find request to be
meritorious, it shall recommend to the
Commission En Banc the deputization of law
enforcement. (for claimant and immediate family)
 Claimant shall be allowed reimbursement for
reasonable legal expenses incurred if found not
guilty of an election offense or exonerated from
civil or administrative case.
Legal Indemnification and Legal Assistance
(Sec. 152-153, 155-159)

11. Disqualification, Notice of Disqualification, and
Posting of the List of the Constituted Member of the Electoral Boards
(Sec.125-127)
No person shall be appointed as an EB if said person is
related within the fourth (4th) civil degree of consanguinity
to any member of the same EB in the polling place or
candidate.
 The chairperson or any EB member shall notify, in
writing, the EO concerned of the notice of disqualification.
Constituted members of the EB will be posted for five (5)
days on bulletin boards in the OEO and in the city or
municipal hall a day after constitution of EB.

12. Appointment of Qualified Substitutes and Order of
Preference
(Sec. 129, 130,131, 134, 142)
Order of Preference
 Incase of EB disqualification, EO will appoint
substitute public-school teachers.
 If designation of public-school teachers are no
longer feasible, other qualified substitutes may be
appointment. (Ex. a qualified non-partisan
registered voter)
 EO shall have power to administer oath,
free of charge.
 The members of the EB shall not be relieved unless
disqualified as provided in Article VI.

13. One (1) DESO and DESO Support Staff each
for every voting center.
Need not be registered voters of the city or
municipality.
DepEd/MBHTE
(Sec. 144)

14. DepEd/MBHTE
(Sec. 144)

15. Deputation of Members of the PNP
(Sec. 147)
PNP may be deputized for the following instances:
 Areas classified under red category or declared under COMELEC control, the Regional
Election Director Shall:
- Coordinate with PNP Regional Director on the briefing of PNP personnel
as EB members.
- Determine the exact number of PNP personnel needed, where to source them out,
venue and other relevant
matters.
- Provide the lecturer and briefing materials.
- Prepare the contingency deployment plan for the utilization of PNP personnel as EB
members.
- Submit report to the Commissioner – in charge (CIC) through the PMO 2023 BSKE.
 In areas with requests for utilization of PNP personnel:
- EO Shall forward any request to the PJSCC through the PES for evaluation.
- PJSCC shall submit its recommendation to the RJSCC.
- RJSCC shall submit the same to the Committee on the
the Ban of Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) through the PMO 2023 BSKE.
- Upon approval, the RED shall follow the protocol provided.

16.  In areas with no qualified, willing and available public-school teachers to
render election-related service and hierarchy in “Election Service Reform
Act” (ERSA):
- EO shall submit a report to the PJSCC with attached certification that
there are no other qualified, willing and available persons to render election
service.
- PJSCC shall forward the report to the RJSCC.
- RJSCC shall transmit the same to the CBFSC for approval/disapproval,
copy furnished the PMO BSKE.
-Upon approval, the RED shall follow the protocol provided.
 In the event that the EBs failed to report during the deployment of
forms and supplies in the early morning of Election Day:
- EO shall report to RJSCC through the RED, copy furnished the PJSCC.
- The RJSCC shall authorize the deployment of PNP who were trained as
Deputation of Members of the PNP
(Sec. 147)
PNP may be deputized for the following instances:

17. Article XVII
General Instructions on
Voting, Counting of
Votes, and Canvassing

18. Chapter I:
Watchers

19. Chapter I: Watchers
(Sec. 412)
 One (1) watcher in every polling place or canvassing center.
 Duly accredited citizens’ arms of the Commission shall be
entitled to appoint a watcher in every polling place or
canvassing center.
 Preference for watchers of citizens’ arms and Punong
Barangay/SK Chairperson candidates.
 Citizens’ arms already accredited during the May 09, 2022
NLE need no longer apply for October 30, 2023 BSKE.

20. Chapter I: Qualifications of Watchers
(Sec. 413)
Registered voter
Is of good reputation
Has not been convicted by final judgement of any election offense or of any other crime
Knows how to read and write Filipino, English, or any of the prevailing local dialect
Is not related within the fourth (4th) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the Chairperson or any EB
members in the polling place where the watcher seeks appointment
No person shall be appointed as watcher, unless person is:
NOTE:
Incumbent Barangay Officials including Barangay Tanods shall not be appointed as watchers of any candidate or citizens’ arms.

21. Chapter I: Rights and Duties of Watchers
(Sec. 414)
NOTE:
Watchers shall not speak to any EB member, or to any voter, or among themselves, in such a manner as would disturb the EB proceedings.

22. Chapter II:
Forms,
Documents,
and Supplies

23. Chapter II: Forms, Documents, and Supplies
(Sec. 415)

24. Chapter II: Forms, Documents, and Supplies
(Sec. 415)

25. Chapter II – Minutes of Voting and Counting
(Sec. 417)
EB shall accomplish in two (2) copies, the
Minutes. (CEF No. 11)
Copies shall be signed and sealed in separate
envelopes (CEF Nos. 18 and 18A) for distribution
as follows:
- Copy for the Commission: Delivered to EO.
- Copy for Ballot Box: Deposited inside
the ballot box compartment
for valid ballots.

26. Chapter II – Verification of Forms
(Sec. 418)
Before Election Day:
 Treasurer shall notify the EBs that forms,
documents, and supplies have been
delivered to the City/Municipal Treasurer’s
Office and are ready for verification for
completeness.
 Duly designated member of EB shall verify
forms, documents, and supplies assigned
to their polling place.
 Duly designated member of EB shall obtain
forms, documents, supplies from the Office
of the City Municipal Treasurer early in the
morning
 When authorized by the Commission,
may obtain earlier through the RED (NCR,
Davao City, Zamboanga City) or PES in the
rest of the provinces.
On Election Day:

27. Chapter III:
Casting of
Votes

28. Chapter III – Casting of Votes
(Sec. 420-423)
 DATE: October 30, 2023
 PLACE: Designated Polling Places
 VOTING HOURS: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- If at 3:00 PM there are still voters
within 30 meters in front of polling place
yet to cast their votes, voting shall continue.
 WHO ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE:
- Registered voters of the precinct.
(names appear in EDCVL)
- Voters presenting final order of the court
certified by the clerk of court and verified EO.
- EB members (voting privileges)

29. Chapter III – Voters’ Assistance Desk
(Sec. 424)
 Manned by Accredited Citizen’s Arm or such entities
determined by the Commission, under control of the
DESO.
 Shall assist voters in ascertaining precinct number,
sequence number, and direction of polling place.
 If no available Accredited Citizen’s Arm, EO may enter
MOA with non-partisan NGO, CSO, and other
organizations. Registered voters of known probity and
integrity residing with barangay may be designated to man
the VAD.

30. Chapter III – Preliminaries to the Voting
(Sec. 425)
EB shall meet at the polling place and perform the following:
 Meet at 6:00 AM.
 Secure forms etc.
 Post one (1) copy of PCVL for Barangay voters and SKE voters outside the polling
place.
 Display poster indicating precinct number and location of the polling place near or
at the door of the polling place.
 Set-up or arrange polling place in accordance with the recommended lay-out of
polling place.
 Staple or paste the Certified Lists of Candidates for the Barangay and SK
positions in the ballot secrecy folders or desks/chairs/tables.
 Place the ballot secrecy folders on top of the desks/chairs/tables.

31. Before start of voting, EB Chairperson shall:
 Open ballot box, empty both compartments, and show to the public that they are
empty. EB Chairperson shall lock its interior cover with one (1) padlock. The Poll
Clerk shall retain the key to the padlock during the voting.
 Show to the public and to watchers’ present, the package of official ballots. Enter
number of pads, serial numbers, and the fact that the ballots was shown to public
in the Minutes.
Chapter III – Preliminaries to the Voting
(Sec. 425)

32. Chapter III – Person Allowed and Not Allowed in the
Polling Place
(Sec. 428 , 430)
EB members, watchers, voters (waiting and
casting votes), others authorized by the
Commission.
Persons Allowed Persons Not Allowed (Except to Vote)
Any officer or member of the AFP or
PNP, unless appointed as EB
members.
Any peace officer or armed or
unarmed person belonging to any
extra-legal police agency.
Incumbent Barangay and SK official,
whether elected or appointed.
NOTE:
• EB may order, in writing, the detail of a police officer of
peace officer for protection of election forms and
themselves
• If there is an actual disturbance of peace and order,
PNP and AFP officials may enter the polling place
even without the written order of the EB members
• Order of voting: Voters shall fall in line in order of
arrival

33. Chapter III – Rules To Be Observed During the
Voting
(Sec. 426, 431)

34. Chapter III – Holding Area and Accessible
Polling Place
(Sec. 429 and 434)
 Holding Area: To be used by
voters waiting for their turn. Voters
will arrange themselves in
sequence of arrival.
 APP: Room in the ground floor for
easy access of voting PWDs, SCs,
and heavily pregnant women.

35. Ballot Cover

36. Official Ballots

37. Number of Official Ballots

38. Chapter III – Manner of Obtaining Ballots
(Sec. 433-434)
Proceed to VAD to
secure precinct and
sequence number and
assigned clustered
precinct.
The voter shall, using a ballot secrecy
folder, fill up the ballot/s by writing in
the corresponding spaces, the names
of the individual candidates voted for
as appearing in the Certified List of
Candidates
In the absence of VAD voters shall
follow the usual procedure of finding
their precinct number and polling
place in the posted PCVL then
proceed to assigned clustered
precinct.
THE VOTER

39. Chapter III – Manner of Obtaining Ballots
(Sec. 433)
THE POLL CLERK
THE CHAIRPERSON
Find out if the name of
the voter is in the
EDCVL and establish
his/her identity.
If the identity is established, check the
fingernails for any indelible ink stain. If
stained, it shall be an indication that voter
has already cast his/her vote. Voter will
be directed to leave the polling place.
If fingernail is not stained, establish the identity
of the voter through voter’s photograph or
specimen signature in the EDCVL. In the
absence of these, any member of the EB or
any registered voter may identify the voter
under oath.
Voter shall then be
directed to Chairperson.
If the voter is not challenged
or having been challenged,
the question was decided in
his favor, refer to the
chairman.
If satisfied with voter’s
identity, the name of
the voter shall be
distinctly announced
in a tone loud enough
to be heard through
the polling place. If
not, voter shall be
directed to leave the
polling place.

40. Chapter III – Manner of Obtaining Ballots
(Sec. 433)
Announce the name,
precinct number, and
serial number of
Barangay ballot
and/or SK ballot.
Authenticate ballot by affixing
signature at the back thereof,
fold, and give to the voter.
Ask the voter to
affix signature in
EDCVL.
Affix his/her
signature in the
EDCVL.
In case any voter under the 18-30 years
old category, refuses to accept any of the
two (2) ballots (SK and Barangay),
distinctly announce the fact of refusal.
THE CHAIRPERSON

41. List of Authentic IDs
 Employee’s identification card (ID) with
signature of the employer or authorized
representative
 Postal ID
 PWD ID
 Student’s ID or library card signed
by the school authority
 Senior Citizen’s ID
 Driver’s license
 NBI clearance
 Passport
 SSS/GSIS ID
 UMID ID
 National ID (Philsys)
 Pag-Ibig ID
 Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
 License issued by the Professional
Regulatory Commission (PRC)
 Certificate of Confirmation issued by the
National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs
or Ips
 Any other government-issued ID
 Barangay Identification/Certification with
photo and signature of the voter and the
Barangay Chairman or his/her authorized
signatory

42. Chapter III –Accomplishing Ballots and Express Lane for PWD,
SC, Heavily Pregnant Women etc.
(Sec. 435 and 437)
For Illiterate, PWD, or SC who cannot be by themselves to vote may
seek assistance from:
 A relative within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
 A person of his/her confidence who belongs to the same
household as that of the voter
 Any EB Member
All assistors must be of voting age. The assistor shall, in the presence
of the illiterate, PWD, or SC prepare the ballot/s using a ballot
secrecy folder
NOTE:
No person, except the EB members, may assist an illiterate, PWD or SC more than three (3) times.
A signage should be in place to indicate location of express lane.

43. Chapter III – Prohibition on Voting
(Sec. 427)
Bring the ballot and/or the ballot secrecy folder outside the polling place, except for voting
involving PWDs, SCs, heavily pregnant women voters and voters in the IPP.
Speak with anyone while inside the polling place.
Prepare the ballot without using a ballot secrecy folder or exhibit its contents to any person, except
assisted voting.
Erase any printing from the ballot or place any distinguishing mark.
Use carbon paper, paraffin paper or other means of making a copy of the contents of the ballot, or
schemes to identify the vote, including digital cameras, cellular phones or similar gadgets.
Intentionally tear or deface the ballot.
Disrupt or attempt to disrupt the proceedings of the EB.

44. Chapter III – Procedures After Voting
(Sec. 439)
 After voter has filled up ballots, fold it in the same manner as it was received.
 The voter shall then proceed to Poll Clerk who shall verify the SN/s against the number/s previously entered in the
EDCVL to determine whether it is the same ballot given to voter:
-Voter shall affix thumbmark in ballot coupon if
number matches .
- Ballot will be considered “spoiled” if number
does not match.
 The Poll Clerk will apply indelible ink. (the cuticle of the right forefinger nail of the voter)
- If voter refuses, the voter shall be informed that it will render
the ballot spoiled, ballot will be marked and voter will be asked to leave.
 The Chairperson shall detach ballot coupon in the presence of the voter and deposit the folded ballot/s in the ballot box
compartment and the coupon in spoiled ballots compartment. Voter shall then leave the polling place.
NOTE:
Ballot/s returned to the Poll Clerk, the detachable coupon/s of which was not removed in the presence of the EB
members and the voter shall be considered spoiled.

45. Chapter III – Spoiled Ballots
(Sec. 438)
If the ballot is accidentally
spoiled or defaced that it
cannot be used, the voter
shall surrender it folded in
the same way when it was
issued by the EB
Chairperson.
If second ballot is spoiled or
defaced, no replacement will be
given. No voter shall be allowed
to change spoiled/defaced ballot
more than once.
EB Chairperson shall write the word
“spoiled” beside the ballot SN
previously recorded in the EDCVL.
Then, the voter will be issued a new
ballot, recording the same in the
available space in the EDCVL

46. Chapter III –Disposition of Unused Ballots and Prohibition
Against Premature Announcement of Voting
(Sec. 443 and 444)
 The Chairperson shall count while the Poll Clerk shall
record in Part A of the Minutes the quantity of unused
ballots, if any, and their SNs. He shall then, in the
presence of other EB members and watchers, if any, tear
the unused ballots lengthwise in half without removing the
stubs.
 First half of ballots: Place in “Envelope for Other Half of
Torn Unused Ballots”
 Second half of ballots: Place in “Envelope for Excess/Half
of Torn Unused Ballots”
NOTE:
No EB members shall make any announcement as to whether a certain
registered voter has already voted, how many have voted, how many so
far have failed to vote, etc.

47. Chapter III – Challenge Against Illegal Voters
and Based on Certain Illegal Acts
(Sec. 440-442)
 Any voter or watcher may challenge any person offering to vote for:
- Not being registered;
- Using the name of another;
- Suffering from existing disqualification; and
- Being a double/multiple registrants
 No voter shall be required to present voter’s identification card or any
other valid ID unless the identity is in doubt or challenged.
 Inability to present authentic identification document upon being
challenged shall not preclude the voter from voting if identified under oath
by:
- Any EB member
- Another registered voter of the same barangay
- Any relative by consanguinity or
affinity within the 4th civil degree
NOTE:
A barangay and/or SK voter can only be identified by another voter of the same barangay

48. Chapter IV
Counting of
Votes

49. Counting of Votes
(Sec. 445)
The EB shall:
 Publicly count the votes cast and tally the results in the polling place
without interruption.
 Re-arrange the physical set-up of the polling place for orderly counting if
necessary.
 Not adjourn or postpone or delay the counting of votes until it has been
fully completed unless ordered by the Commission.
 Violation of the foregoing – constitutes an ELECTION OFFENSE.
Note : At all times, ballot box and all election documents and paraphernalia shall be within
close view of the watchers and the public.

50. Transfer of Counting of Votes
(Sec. 446)
 Commission through EO may authorize EB to count the votes in any other place within a public
building in the same municipality or city on account of imminent danger of widespread violence,
terrorism, disorder or similar causes of comparable magnitude.
 Recommended in writing by unanimous vote of the EB and endorsed by majority of watchers
present.
 Building shall not be located within the perimeter of or inside of a military or police camp or
police camp, reservation, headquarters, detachment or field office nor within the premise of a
prison or detention compound of any law enforcement or investigation agency.
 Any transfer of the venue for the counting of votes shall be recorded in the Minutes.

51. Preliminaries to the counting of votes
(Sec. 447)

52. Manner of Counting of Votes
(Sec. 448)
ELECTORAL BOARD
 Unfold the ballots
 Form separate piles of
one hundred (100)
ballots each;
 Held together with
rubber band
CHAIRPERSON
 Take the ballots of first
pile one by one
 Read the names of the
candidates voted for
POLL CLERK
 To accomplish ER
THIRD MEMBER
 To accomplish tally
board without touching
any of these election
documents

53. Manner of Counting of Votes
(Sec. 448)
 After all ballots have been read, the EB shall record in words and figures, the
total votes obtained by each candidate both in ERs and in the tally board.
 Counted ballots shall be placed in envelope, sealed, signed and deposited in
the compartment for valid ballots.
 Announce the result of election of barangay officials in the precinct.
 Each vote for a candidate shall be recorded in a vertical line, except every fifth
(5th) vote for the same candidate, which shall be recorded by a diagonal line
crossing the previous four (4) lines.
In reading the ballots during the counting:
 EB shall assume such positions as to provide the watchers and the public as
may be accommodated conveniently an unimpeded view of the ballot

54. Manner of Counting of Votes (SK)
(Sec. 448)
After completion of the
counting of votes cast for
the barangay elections,
The EB shall :
1. Announce the result of the elections of barangay officials in the
precinct
2. Unlock the padlock
3. Open the ballot box
4. Take out the ballots for the SK elections
5. Place the accomplished barangay ERs and tally board inside
the ballot box
6. Lock the same
7. Proceed with the counting of the votes
8. Announcement of results and safekeeping of ERs and tally
board, using the same procedures on barangay elections