DCPO urges Dabawenyos to vote wisely, warns on vote-buying

Category : News | Sub Category : Provincial Posted on 2025-04-30 07:38:39

PNA

DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) urged Dabawenyos on Wednesday to uphold democracy and reject vote-buying and vote-selling in connection with the May 12 elections.

Eleven days before the political exercise, Col. Hansel Marantan, the DCPO acting city director, reminded city residents that vote-buying and vote-selling are strictly prohibited.

“DCPO urges every Dabawenyo to exercise their right to vote wisely and responsibly, for the betterment of our city and the future of the next generations. Upholding the sanctity of the ballot is a shared responsibility,” he said in an online post.

Vote-buying refers to the act of offering or giving money or any form of inducement to influence a person’s vote, while vote-selling involves soliciting such inducements in exchange for one’s vote.

Marantan stated these acts are serious election offenses under Section 261(a) of the Omnibus Election Code and punishable by imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and loss of voting rights.

Meanwhile, Marantan also called on the public to be vigilant and report any instances of vote-buying or vote-selling to the authorities.

“Let us work together to ensure clean, honest, and peaceful elections. Following these guidelines is not only a legal obligation but a moral duty to preserve democracy,” he said.