MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Seeking to end tensions over tight races, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, May 14, allowed regional offices to decide to disregard uncanvassed votes as long as these wouldn’t affect the standing of candidates.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9700, the poll body said municipal, city, provincial, district, and regional boards of canvassers (BOCs) may proclaim winning candidates even if the consolidated canvassing system (CCS) has not received all results.

The condition is that “the standing of the candidates will not be affected by the results not yet transmitted to, and received by, the CCS, without prejudice to the ranking of the winning candidates.”

For this, local BOCs no longer need to request permission from the Comelec central office. The new resolution authorizes regional election directors to approve requests from BOCs. (Read the full resolution below.)

Comelec Resolution No. 9700: Lowering Canvassing Thresholds

In a press conference on Tuesday, poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr said the Comelec made this decision after receiving requests from candidates who wanted proclamations as early as Monday night, May 13. One of them was former president and leading Manila mayoral candidate Joseph Estrada, Brillantes said.

He said uncertainties over results could lead to chaos. “Once we come out with this, tensions will die down in different parts of the country,” Brillantes explained. (Watch the full press conference with Brillantes below.)

In 2010, Brillantes explained, the Comelec required a 100% completion of the canvass. – Rappler.com