• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About two million voters are expected to cast their votes in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Negros Occidental, including the highly-urbanized city of Bacolod, today (Oct. 30), based on the figures of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
There are 29,640 candidates vying for various positions in the province, records further showed.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria called for prayers for honest, orderly and peaceful elections in Negros Occidental, where 51 barangays have been tagged as election areas of concern.
Security forces have been placed under full alert status since last week.
Of the 29,640 candidates in the province, 1,611 are running for village chiefs in 662 barangays while 15,612 candidates have joined the race for barangay councilors, with 4,634 seats available.
Data from the Comelec also showed there are 1,882 aspirants for the position of SK chairman while 10,535 candidates are running for the position of SK councilor.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on the candidates and supporters to help ensure that the elections will be peaceful and order.
“Go out and vote and respect the results,” the governor said.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Emergency Operations Center was also placed under red alert status since Oct. 28 in anticipation of any emergency that may take place during the election day. | GB
