THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) XI launched a series of trainings for poll workers for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30.
Meanwhile, the Comelec also reiterated the strict prohibitions for the campaign period, starting Oct. 19 to 28.
Lawyer Gay Enumerables, Comelec XI acting regional director, said 27,000 electoral boards will serve in this election.
The regional office also redoubled its efforts in preparation to make the manual launch of the Oct. 30 election a success.
According to Enumerables, the chairman of the electoral board (EB) will receive an honorarium of P10,000 while its members will receive P9,000.
Moreover, the Comelec reiterated the strict prohibitions for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) campaign period, starting Oct. 19 to 28.
In a memorandum, the poll body warned anew against wrong-sized campaign materials including billboards, tarpaulins, and individual posters exceeding two by three feet in common poster areas.
“In case there are unlawful campaign materials posted on public and private properties, the election officer (EO) shall send a notice to remove; and a show cause order to the concerned candidates,” the memorandum read.
She further explained that the aspirants will be liable once election officers find unlawful campaign materials in common poster areas, public, and even private places.
The nationwide Operation Baklas (removal of illegal campaign materials), meanwhile, will be conducted from Oct. 20 to 27, according to the Comelec memorandum.
The Comelec also reiterated prohibitions under the presumption of vote buying, including distributing food or drinks to supporters during campaign sorties.
“Giving of T-shirts, ballers, bags, sun visors, hats/caps, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, ball pens, fans, candies and others of value is strictly prohibited, including giving of food and drinks during and after a meeting or campaign sortie,” the memorandum added.
Moreover, only the candidate and five individuals among his or her campaign staff are allowed to wear shirts with the candidate’s picture.
The Comelec earlier said that all BSK bets must limit their campaign expenditure to P5 per voter.
This means that complaints related to illegal campaigns, premature campaigning, or even vote buying may result in a candidate’s disqualification or election offense.
BSKE bets, meanwhile, may utilize online platforms to conduct their campaign rallies.
“Livestreaming on the candidates’ social media platforms shall be considered a form of e-rallies,” the memorandum read.
Besides social media platforms, BSK bets may campaign on “television, cable television, radio, newspaper, or internet,” subject to campaign rules.
