ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) started its Operation Baklas at the same time the election campaign for all national candidates kicked off yesterday.
There are 62 senatorial candidates and 134 party-list groups vying for national positions.
Atty. Dennis Ausan, election director of Comelec Region 6, said all their field offices have already constituted their respective task forces for the drive to remove campaign materials which do not conform with the prescribed size and locations.
“All campaign materials not posted, pasted or outside the designated common areas will be removed, at least as far as the national candidates are concerned,” said Ausan.
The prescribed maximum size for tarpaulins and posters is two feet by three feet or three feet by two feet depending whether these are horizontal or vertical, and should only be posted in designated campaign areas.
In this city, the common poster areas are the following districts:
* City Proper – Plaza Libertad facing JM Basa Street
* ARevalo – Plaza Villa Rizal Street facing police station
* Jaro – Plaza Jaro along Rizal Street facing Andok’s Chicken
* La Paz – Plaza La Paz facing Huervana Street and police station
* Lapuz – Rizal Street, Barangay Lapuz Norte in front of the ro-ro terminal
* Mandurriao – Plaza Mandurriao facing the police station
* Molo – Plaza Molo along Locsin Street facing the Consing Mansion
Ausan said violations of election laws will mean imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years.
Violating the rules can also mean disqualification to hold public office.
Candidates’ supporters may also be held liable for an election offense case.
“We will be implementing the full force of the law,” Ausan said.
The regional director also reminded candidates to register with the Comelec’s Education and Information Department their official website and blogs. (PNA
