Coin Toss Decides Top Councilor Position
A rare electoral tie for the top councilor position in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, was decided not by a recount but through a coin toss. Both Clifford Tito and Thomas Dave Santos ended up with exactly 13,451 votes each in the recent midterm elections held on May 12.
Since the vote count resulted in a deadlock, the Municipal Board of Canvassers followed the rules set out in Section 240 of the Omnibus Election Code. This law permits the use of games of chance, such as drawing lots or flipping a coin, to break ties between candidates who received the same number of votes.
Municipal Board of Canvassers Uses Coin Toss
With both candidates agreeing to this method, election officials supervised the coin toss to ensure fairness. Ultimately, Thomas Dave Santos won the toss, earning the distinction of being the highest-ranking municipal councilor.
Significance of the Top Councilor Role
The highest-ranking councilor holds an important position. According to the Local Government Code, this council member may be called upon to temporarily assume higher office if the governor, vice governor, mayor, or vice mayor are unable to perform their duties. This makes the outcome of the coin toss particularly significant for local governance in Solano.
This unique incident highlights how close races can be and how election laws provide clear procedures to resolve ties efficiently. For more updates and related election news, visit Filipinokami.com.
