Comelec preparations continue for 2019 midterm polls

Preparations for the May 2019 midterm polls are in full swing and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now bidding out a contract for the deployment of equipment, supplies, forms and paraphernalia to the regions.

Based on the invitation to bid, the contract also covers warehousing services in the region and has an approved budget of P1.33 billion, divided into four lots.

According to the Comelec Bid and Awards Committee (BAC), bidders should have “completed within eight years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project.”

“Bidders are restricted to Filipino citi- zens’ sole proprietorships, partnerships or organizations with at least 60 percent interest or outstanding capital stocks belonging to citizens of the Philippines,” BAC said.

The committee said bidding documents may be purchased until Sept. 25 from the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.

BAC is set to hold a pre-bid conference on Sept. 11 and this will be open to prospective bidders.

In an earlier interview, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez maintained that they could not stop preparing for the upcoming polls despite the continued calls for postponement in relation to Charter change.

Jimenez added the Comelec does not want to be caught unprepared in case the elections push through next year.