The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as its citizen’s arm for the May 2013 national and local elections.

“The Commission recognizes PPCRV as one of the organizations which has established its membership and structure all over the Philippines and has demonstrated its capacity to promote public interest,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

He noted PPCRV’s track record as one of Comelec’s staunch allies in ensuring clean, orderly, peaceful and honest elections.

Since 1992, PPCRV has done poll watching in various precincts and conduct massive voters’ education program in the country through their mass based constituency composed of individuals of voting age and registered voters, with operating chapters based in various parishes nationwide.

In the 2010 elections, its membership has reached 657,000 coming from 3,333 parishes, participating in poll watching and election related activities.

Members and volunteers are tasked to assist the voters on election day especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, detainees, indigenous peoples and other members of the vulnerable sectors.

Meanwhile, the accreditation entitles the PPCRV to electronic copies of the computerized voters list as well as the fourth copy of the automated election returns.*PIA