The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is studying the possibility of requiring candidates in next year’s elections to submit current photos to the poll body to be used for their campaign materials, saying the “unofficial” photos could be considered illegal campaign materials.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the proposed rule is part of the Comelec’s campaign to curb misrepresentation during polls.
“The commission may require candidates to submit at least 10 current photos that were taken in the past six months for their campaign streamers, posters and social media posts,” Garcia said in a radio interview.
The poll chief said that should the proposed policy be approved, candidates could be penalized for using photos other than those they submitted, and their campaign materials considered as illegal and tantamount for disqualification.
“The proposal,” he said “is part of a larger campaign against AI and ‘deepfakes’ that could influence operations through disinformation.”
“There is too much misrepresentation and misinformation as it is,” he added.
