BEIs ready for May 14 polls
Some 13,000 teachers who will form part of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in Western Visayas are ready for the May 14 polls. They have just completed their briefing on their election roles and responsibilities for next week’s synchronized national and local elections.
Comelec Regional Director Renato Magbutay said the number of teachers who will serve as BEI is already enough for the entire region. He said there is no need for the Comelec to look for additional BEIs. The Comelec is 90 percent ready for the elections though they are still waiting for the accountable forms that they will use during the election.
In previous elections, cops have to fetch the members of the BEI to start the counting of votes. No counting of votes will proceed not until the BEI is convened.
As contained in Comelec Resolution No. 7815, in case there are not enough qualified school teachers, teachers in private schools, employees in the civil service or citizens of known probity and competence, who are registered voters of the city or municipality may be appointed as members of the BEI, provided that the chairman shall be a public school teacher.
The BEI is composed of a chairman and two members of whom shall be public school teachers, giving preference to those with permanent appointments. One of the members will serve as poll clerk.
The importance of the BEI could not be ignored because of their powers and functions during the elections. They have five important functions such as to conduct the voting and counting of votes in their respective polling places and act as deputies of the Commission in the supervision and control of the election in the polling place wherein they are assigned.
The BEI will also to maintain order within the polling place and its premises, keep access thereto open and unobstructed, and enforce obedience to its lawful orders. If any person refuses to obey the lawful orders of the BEI or conducts himself in a disorderly manner in its presence or within its hearing and thereby interrupts or disturbs its proceedings, the BEI may issue an order in writing directing any peace officer to take such person in custody until the adjournment of the meeting but such order shall not be executed as to prevent such person from voting.
The BEI will perform other functions prescribed under the Omnibus Election Code or by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission.