Section 27January 23, 2007, Sec./Art. 27

Number of Copies of Election Returns and their Distribution. - The board of election inspectors shall prepare in handwriting the election returns in their respective polling place, in the number of copies herein provided and in the form to be prescribed and provided by the Commission.

"The copies of election returns shall be distributed by the chairman of the board of election inspectors as follows:

"(a) In the election of president, vice-president, senators and members of the House of Representatives including the party-list representatives:

"(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of canvassers;

"(2) The second copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the polling place;

"(3) The third copy, to the congress, directed to the President of the Senate;

"(4) The fourth copy. to the Commission;

"(5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

"(6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

"(7) The seventh copy, to a citizens' authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count: Provided, however, That the accreditation of the citizens' arm shall be subject to the provision of Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Bldg. 881; and

"(8) The eight copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots; and

"(b) In the election of local officials;

"(1) The First copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of canvassers;

"(2) The second copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the polling place;

"(3) The third copy, to the Commission;

"(4) The fourth copy, to the provincial board of canvassers;

"(5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

"(6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

"(7) The seventh copy, to a citizens' authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count: Provided, however, That the accreditation of the citizens' arm shall be subject to the provisions of Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Bldg. 881; and

"(8) The eighth copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid votes.

"The copy of the election return posted on the wall shall be open for public viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Any person may view or capture an image of the election return by means of any data capturing device such as, but not limited to, cameras at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. After the prescribed period for posting, the chairman of the board of election inspectors shall collect the posted election returns and keep the same in his custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by any voter or any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority.

"Except for those copies that are required to be delivered, copies of election returns may be claimed at the polling place. Any unclaimed copy shall be brought by the chairman of the board of election inspectors to the canvassing center where the recipients or their representatives may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing center shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of election inspectors, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

"The Thirty (30) certified print copies of the election return for national positions shall be distributed as follows:

"(a) The first fourteen (14) copies shall be given to the fourteen (14) accredited major national parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof;

"(b) The next three copies shall be given to the three accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria analogous to that provided in Section 26 Hereof;

"(c) The next five copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

"(d) The next two copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

"(e) The next four copies to the major citizens' arms, including the accredited citizens' arms and other non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881;

"(f) The next copy to be placed inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots; and

"(g) The last copy to the provincial board of canvassers."

"The certified print copies may be claimed at the polling place. Any unclaimed copy shall be brought by the chairman of the board of election inspectors to the canvassing center where the recipients or representatives may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing center shall be placed in the custody of the chairman of the board election inspectors, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

"Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients of the print or digital copies of the election return may conduct an unofficial consolidation of votes and may announce the result to the public.

"The Commission shall post its digital files in its website for the public to view or download at any time of the day. The Commission shall maintain the files at least three years from the date of posting.

"Any violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881;