MALAY, Aklan – Malay election officer Elma Cahilig reminded aspirants for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) about premature campaigning.
An SK candidate in Malay has been served a show-cause order over alleged premature campaigning.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) stressed those who received show-cause orders had three days from the date of receipt to present their case.
Cahilig said candidates can campaign only from Oct. 19 to 28, 2023 under the Omnibus Election Code.
“Iwasan na natin ang mga early campaigning, stressful din sa ating mga kandidato, lalo na sa mga SK itong mga ganitong election offenses. Maghintay tayo sa Oct. 19 sa pagkampanya,” Cahilig said over Boracay Good News program.
Premature campaigning is an act to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates to a public office before the official campaign period.
As of Oct. 10, the Comelec has issued almost 6,000 show-cause orders to candidates for violating campaign rules.
Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code states that “it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.
For complaints on early campaigning, the public may report to Comelec Anti-Epal Task Force./PN
