BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) discussed with the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) their security preparations for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.
Also tackled during the meeting were the province’s election watchlist areas (EWAs) and the recent family massacre in Himamaylan City, according to Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, Comelec-Negros Occidental elections supervisor.
Ananoria, however, said the proposal to declare Himamaylan City an EWA is still subject for validation.
During the 2022 national elections, 17 areas in Negros Occidental were deemed as EWAs. For the barangay and SK elections, these areas are currently being verified.
With regards to the “early campaigning” among candidates, Ananoria said a person is not covered by the premature campaigning ban until he/she files a certificate of candidacy.
The local Comelec office also recently concluded its Election Registration Board hearing, although the finalization of cases involving double registrants is still ongoing.
BSKE is scheduled on Oct. 30.
The election period will start on Aug. 28, also the start of the filing of the COC which will end on Sept. 2.
Candidates will not be allowed to hold campaign activities on the day after the last day of the filing of the COC or on Sept. 3 until Oct. 18.
The 10-day campaign period will be on Oct. 19 to 28. (With a report from Philippine News Agency)/PN
