MANILA- Poll Commissioner Christian Robert Lim has been assigned as acting chairman of the Commission on Elections.

Lim was chosen via a unanimous vote of poll commissioners present during the Comelec en banc Tuesday, the poll body's spokesperson James Jimenez said.

Commissioner Christian Robert Lim designated acting Chairman, by unanimous vote of Commissioners present at today's @COMELEC en banc.

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) October 24, 2017

Lim's assignment comes after President Rodrigo Duterte accepted on Monday the resignation of Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, effective immediately.

• READ: Duterte accepts Bautista resignation 'effective immediately'

Duterte's decision was contrary to Bautista's earlier announcement that he will only step down from his post by the end of the year.

Jimenez also said Bautista no longer reported for work Tuesday.

In a text message sent to ABS-CBN News, Bautista said he might drop by his former office in the coming days to get his things.

Lim, however, has already laid out a roadmap of activities for the coming days, Jimenez said.

Lim, the most senior among commissioners, started his term last April 7, 2011 and will retire by February 2, 2018.

This means that if the poll body applied the old process of selecting an acting chair, which did not require voting, Lim would still be chosen due to seniority.

Lim also acted as chairman of Comelec during the retirement of the election body's former head, Sixto Brilliantes. Lim handled the initial preparations for the 2016 presidential elections which was won by Duterte.

Last month, Lim was accused by former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong of committing graft and corruption in relation to the contract negotiations with Smartmatic TIM Corporation.

Chong also accused Lim of trying to manipulate the other poll commissioners to remove Bautista so that he could take over as acting Comelec chief.

• READ: Comelec commissioner faces graft, serious misconduct raps

Lim will act as Comelec chairman until the President appoints an interim chairman who will have to serve Bautista's unfinished term.

-with a report from Zen Hernandez, ABS- CBN News