LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Several campaign posters and tarpaulins of political candidates have been defaced or torn down in Badoc and other parts of Ilocos Norte, prompting concerns from local camps about possible election sabotage.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Joel Gines confirmed on Wednesday that such actions may constitute election offenses if the materials were posted legally — either in designated common poster areas or on private property with the owner’s consent.

Gines cited Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, which penalizes the unauthorized removal or destruction of campaign materials. Violators may face imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and even the loss of voting rights.

“These penalties are in place to ensure fairness and discipline during the election period,” Gines said.

He added that willfully damaging posters may also be prosecuted as malicious mischief under Article 327 of the Revised Penal Code, with penalties depending on the value of the damage. Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Election Practices Act, also prohibits the tampering or removal of properly placed, regulation-compliant campaign materials.

Gines emphasized that only the Commission on Elections and its authorized teams are allowed to remove illegal or oversized posters. Private individuals may only remove campaign materials if they are placed on their property without permission.

With tensions rising ahead of election day, Gines urged supporters and the public to respect campaign materials and report violations to local Comelec offices instead of taking matters into their own hands.