Comelec Rules and Guidelines for Election of AIPGE Board of Directors 

Generally accepted rules and guidelines for the conduct of 2024 Election of AIPGE Board of Directors formulated, promulgated, and practiced by the AIPGE Commission on Elections.

MEMBERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

Any active member who meets the following conditions is a member entitled to vote:

• He/she is a member in good standing, pursuant to AIPGE Membership Rules and Guidelines;
• He/she has not violated any provision of AIPGE Constitution and By-Laws, or any rules and regulations duly promulgated by the Board of Directors and the General Assembly; and
• He/she has actively participated in the affairs of the union in accordance with union’s policies and guidelines.
• Employees who are on official travel and on night duty are allowed to vote earlier on the date of the election (November 21, 2024), provided that they must present a copy of approved office/travel order or schedule of activities.

Failure of the member to meet any of the above qualifications shall mean loss of right to vote as declared by the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOD CANDIDACY

A member candidate must meet the following qualifications before he/she can run for member of the Board of Directors:

1. He/she must be an active member of the AIPGE for at least six (6) months prior the date of election;
2. He/she must be a member in good standing (MIGS);
3. He/she must have the time and willingness to serve AIPGE; and
4. He/she must not have any conflicting interest with the cause of AIPGE.

DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR BOD CANDIDACY

1. Non-members of the AIPGE;
2. Persons who have been convicted by final judgment judicially or administratively of an offense involving moral turpitude, or judicially declared insolvent, spendthrift, or incapacitated to contract;
3. Directors who have been absent for whatever reasons for more than fifty percent (50%) of the regular meetings of the Board of Directors during their incumbency. This disqualification shall apply for purposes of the immediately succeeding election; and
4. Those who are delinquent in the payment of their monthly obligations.

FILING AND EVALUATION OF CERTIFICATES OF CANDIDACY

1. Persons interested for candidacy should file their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) in prescribed form before the COMELEC;
2. Accomplished COC form shall be filed within the period of filing specified by the COMELEC;
3. All COCs shall be evaluated by the COMELEC;
4. Candidates must possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications, as mentioned above;
5. The COMELEC shall notify, in writing/text, all persons who have filed their COCs of the result of the evaluation as to their qualification as candidates two (2) days after the deadline of filing of the COCs;
6. The COMELEC shall post the Certified List of Official Candidates for the vacant positions.

ELECTION DAY

1. The COMELEC, in quorum, shall conduct the election;
2. The designated polling places shall be in the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, and one for each District and Provincial Hospitals of the Iloilo Provincial Government which will be determined by the AIPGE Focal Persons of each hospital; and
3. The COMELEC shall present the candidates to the assembly before the casting of votes.

CONDUCT OF CANVASS AND PROCLAMATION

1. The COMELEC shall canvass the votes after the declaration by the COMELEC that the election is officially closed;

2. Before canvassing of votes, the Chairman of the COMELEC shall announce the following:
   • Number of voting members
   • Number of cast ballots
   • Number of nullified ballots
3. Appreciation of Ballots
   The following ballots shall be nullified:

• Those bearing symbol, drawing or any marking;
• Torn ballots; and/or
• Those ballots with more than ten (10) shaded candidates.

4. In case of a tie on the number 10 slot and no one withdraws, the winner shall be determined by drawing of lots.
5. COMELEC shall proclaim the winning candidates only after the canvass of votes.
6. COMELEC shall submit the official results of the election to sitting the Chairperson of the Board.

ELECTION PROTEST

1. Any candidate may file an election protest with the COMELEC within the period to file;
2. A violation of any of the provisions of the COMELEC Rules and Guidelines shall be a ground for an election protest;
3. Protest made before the day of the election shall be in writing, duly signed and accompanied by proof of the act in the complaint. Those made during the General Assembly need not be made in writing and may be raised verbally and in person;
4. In both instances, the COMELEC shall decide all protests within five (5) days from receipt; and
5. The decision/judgment by the COMELEC shall be final and executory.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES FOR AIPGE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ACTIVITIES	DATE / PERIOD	PROHIBITED ACTS
Appointment of COMELEC	Not later than October 12, 2024
Filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC)	November 7-12, 2024	Campaigning
Consolidation of COCs by COMELEC	November 13, 2024	Campaigning
Evaluation of COCs by COMELEC	November 14-15, 2024	Campaigning
Presentation of Official Candidates	November 18, 2024
Campaign Period	November 18-20, 2024
General Assembly	November 21, 2024	Campaigning
AIPGE BOD Election	November 21, 2024 (12 noon to 2:00 PM)	Campaigning
Canvassing of Votes	November 21, 2024 (2:00 PM onwards)
Election Protest	November 22, 2024