- GILBERT BAYORAN
The gun ban period for the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30, will start from Aug. 28 until Nov. 29, Provincial Comelec supervisor, Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, said Wednesday.
Ananoria said that members of the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC), composed of the Commission on Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Police, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard, will convene prior to the start of the election period, also on Aug. 28.
The RJSCC is expected to deliberate on the categorization of barangays if any would be considered under the Election Watchlist Areas (EWAs).
Ananoria stressed that the BSKE is “nonpartisan”, adding that political parties are not allowed to participate in the coming electoral process.
He also pointed out that mayors are not allowed to officially endorse a candidate for any barangay position, in her or his capacity as a party member.
Meanwhile, Ananoria said that candidates may download the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) form from the Comelec website.
He said the duly-accomplished COC should be submitted to the local office of the Comelec that has jurisdiction over the area where a candidate intends to run for office./GB
