TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief in this city will be organizing a candidates’ forum in connection to the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
The forum is aimed at informing the candidates of the prohibitions imposed during the election period, lawyer Maria Goretti Cañas said.
Based on their record, there were over 3,500 candidates are running for the forthcoming barangay and youth balloting.
“We will inform them on all prohibitions especially now that we already entered the election period; what are the prohibited acts during and outside the campaign period so that we lessen in the filing of cases against a candidate,” Cañas said.
Among these prohibitions include the posting on social media of the candidates or their relatives or even others who will promote their candidacy outside the allocated date of the campaign period.
The Comelec had scheduled the campaign period for the barangay and SK elections to start from October 19 to 28.
“Campaigning also covers their post on social media, this should be taken down unless gusto nira nga cases will be filed against them. Most of our candidates are unaware of this rule pero ignorance of the law excuses no one to compliance therewith,” Caňas said.
Aside from briefing the candidates, the polls official added that they will also conduct training for individuals who will compose the electoral board.
“It is very important considering that the October 30 BSKE is a manual election,” Cañas said, adding that the training will be conducted on all Saturdays of September.
Caňas added that they also have a schedule for posting the names of all official candidates for the BSKE.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
