Comelec bares sked for 2018 polls

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday released its new calendar of activities including the period of the prohibited acts for the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

In a seven-page Comelec Resolution No. 10246, the poll body scheduled the election period from April 14 to May 21 this year.

Those interested in running for posts in the barangay or Sangguniang Kabataan may file their certificates of candidacy

from April 14 to 20. This will be followed by a nine-day campaign period from May 4 to May 12.

Comelec warned all candidates against committing prohibited acts during the campaign period, such as tampering or preventing distribution of lawful election propaganda, making any donations and using law enforcers, among others.

Those candidates who will be found committing any of the prohibited acts will be charged with violating the Omnibus Election Code.Comelec also noted that candidates would no longer be allowed to do any campaigning starting May 13, a day before the election. A liquor ban will also be enforced from May 13 to 14, or Election Day.

Meanwhile, prohibited acts during the election period include: the alteration of precincts or establishment of new precincts; carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons; use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates; transfer of officers and employees in the civil service; and the suspension of any elective local officer.

The voters may cast their ballots in their respective polling precincts from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 14, the Election Day.

Candidates have until June 13 to submit their statements of contributions and expenditures to the Comelec.