• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Days before the kick-off of the campaign period for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Oct. 19, the Commission on Elections served 18 more show-cause orders (SCOs) to candidates in Negros Occidental.
This brought to 125 SCOs served to aspirants in the province for alleged premature campaigning as of Oct. 12.
Records show that E.B. Magalona keeps the top spot, having the most number of SCOs issued by Comelec at 56.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said that aside from the SCOs, summons have also been issued to five candidates for vote-buying.
The Comelec has also activated the “Kontra Bigay” committee in the cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental to receive complaints.
Ananoria said complainants should submit notarized affidavits with pieces of evidence on the alleged vote-buying incidents.
Meanwhile, Ananoria said that in a meeting with representatives of Central Negros Electric Cooperative yesterday, the Comelec, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines were assured of continuous power supply before, during and after the Oct. 30 polls.
He added that election returns, official ballots and other election-related documents are scheduled to arrive this week.
Ananoria said the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center will have a final meeting on Oct. 19 in Negros Occidental to discuss the security preparations and validation of election areas of concerns, which remains at 51, as of this time. | GB
