COMELEC EXEC: Barangay polls most likely to push through in May 2018

MINALIN - After almost two years of postponement, barangay elections are most likely to push through this coming May 14, said Commission on Election (Comelec) Officer III Imelda Manalastas.

This, as Manalastas said her office has not received any order from the Comelec Central Office to further postpone the barangay polls which was originally scheduled October 2016.

“Sa ngayon po wala pang order na nagsasabing postponed po ulit ang election kaya kami po sa local office ay tuluytuloy ang paggawa ng preparatory activities na nakasunod sa aming calendar of activities (As of now we have not received any advise on the postponement of barangay polls. So we in the local office are continuing with preparations),” Manalastas said.

She disclosed that as of yesterday, the Comelec here has already constituted the members of the electoral board and barangay board of canvassers which are tasked to aid in maintaining peace and order in the polls.

The local electoral commission has already posted the official list of voters for the proper guidance of the voting public and other concerned organizations, added Manalastas.

In line with the said preparations, the Comelec here together with the local government and police here yesterday conducted the opening and retrieval of excess serviceable metal ballot boxes used in the previous elections.

Manalastas said a total of 433 excess metal ballot boxes were readied for distribution to other municipalities which lack or have shortage of ballot boxes for the coming barangay el ect i on s.

“Itong mga ballot boxes ay sobra po ng Minalin kaya kailangan ipamigay sa ibang munisipyo na kulang ang balota. So naghihintay lang po kami ng advise ng other munisipyo na nangangailangan tapos pwede na po nila ipick-up ditto (these ballot boxes are excess of Minalin Comelec so we are giving them away to other towns who need them),” she said.

Meanwhile, Manalastas reminded the candidates in the barangay elections to strictly follow the nine-day campaign period set on May 4 to 12 and avoid using official municipal and barangay activities to seek votes.

She also reminded the voting public to be critical in the election of candidates and cooperate in the preparatory measures conducted by the Comelec for peaceful and orderly elections.

Likewise, the local police here headed by Chief Inspector Pearl Joy Gollayan vowed to augment their forces to secure the public, as well as maintain the peace and order during the whole election period.

She disclosed that she will continue to deploy police personnel in every activity conducted by the Comelec, including the opening and retrieval of the excess metal ballot boxes.

She also advised the public, particularly gun owners, of the expected implementation of the gun ban during the whole campaign and election period.

“As of now wala pang order from the higher headquarters regarding the gun ban pero expected na na meron katulad noong nakaraang October before mapostpone ulit ang barangay elections (As now there is no gun ban order yet but expect there will be one just like in the past),” Gollayan said.