When voters went to the polls for the 2012 primary election in Palau they were greeted by a barrage of signs banning cell phones and cameras. For the first time, cell phones were collected before voters were allowed to enter the voting booths. This new rule was prompted by complaints to the Palau Election Commission of alleged vote-buying for walk-in voters that produced a photo of their vote. Multiple sources have contacted OTV to advise that local radio and television host Alfonso Diaz was offering money to walk-in voters who took a picture of their ballot in the voting booth with presidential candidate Johnson Toribing marked. Vote buying is a criminal offense in Palau subject to a fine and up to 1 year in prison for each individual offense. The Palau Election Commission responded quickly after these complaints with the “No Cell Phones or Cameras” rule.
Additional stories of vote buying have also been reported to OTV. Campaign representatives have approached senior voters with envelopes containing $500. Upon acceptance of the money the senior family members are then supposed to encourage children and grandchildren to vote accordingly. Details on how much money has been distributed and to how many families is unclear.
Full Article: Election Commission Bans Cell Phones to Prevent Vote Buying | Oceania Television Network.
