ILOILO — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas is pushing ahead with full-scale preparations for the Nov. 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), baring related schedules for various poll-related activities amid talks of a possible postponement.
The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) is from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5, while the official election period will run from Oct. 3 to Nov. 9.
A nationwide gun ban will be enforced throughout the election period.
Qualified candidates will be allowed to campaign for 10 days, from Oct. 22 to 31.
Campaigning will be prohibited on Nov. 1, the eve of the elections, when a nationwide liquor ban will also take effect.
Election Day on Nov. 2, which coincides with All Souls’ Day, will see polling places open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan said election offices in Western Visayas and throughout the country remain in “election mode,” with preparations proceeding according to the existing electoral calendar.
“Wala kami gapanumdom resetting or postponement subong… full swing ang amon preparations at all levels,” Ausan declared.
4.2 million voters
Western Visayas has 4,246,670 registered regular and youth voters spread across 3,389 barangays following the conclusion of voter registration on June 1.
Of the total, 3,142,243 are regular voters, while 1,104,427 are registered SK voters.
Iloilo has the biggest number of regular voters at 1,649,653, followed by Capiz with 544,622; Aklan, 417,387; Antique, 404,557; and Guimaras, 126,024.
For the SK elections, Iloilo also has the largest voting population with 572,056, followed by Capiz with 195,065; Antique, 147,725; Aklan, 146,733; and Guimaras, 42,848.
Comelec-6 is coordinating with law enforcement agencies and local government units to ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct of the elections.
Ausan also reminded voters of the different age requirements for the barangay and SK elections.
Those aged 18 and above may vote in the barangay elections, while voters aged 15 to 30 may participate in the SK elections. Candidates for SK positions, meanwhile, must be between 18 and 24 years old.
This means registered voters aged 18 to 30 are entitled to receive two ballots — one for barangay positions and another for SK positions./PN
