The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Northeastern Mindanao on Friday announced that the filing of candidacy for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will run from October 1 to October 13, 2010.
In a command conference with other law enforcement agencies here, the Comelec also announced that the election 45-day gun ban will start on Saturday (Sept. 25).
The Omnibus Election Code mandates that during said period, no person shall bear, carry, or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec.
The issuance of firearms licenses is also suspended during the election period.
Only regular members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the Comelec for election duty may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period, the Election Omnibus Election Code said.
Comelec officials in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) led by Director Francisco Pobe said city, provincial and municipal Comelec registrars will start accepting the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of applicants aspiring for Barangay and SK seats from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on said dates.
The officials to be elected on October 25 for the Barangay polls include a Punong Barangay and 7 Barangay Kagawads while a Chairman and seven 7 Kagawads for the SK polls.
Under Comelec Resolution 9029, candidates for the Barangay elections must be: Filipino citizens; at least 18 years old on election day; able to read and write Filipino or any local language or dialect; and registered voters of the Barangay where they intend to run for office and residents thereof for at least 1 year immediately preceding the day of the election.
On the other hand, qualified to run for the SK polls are: Filipino citizens, at least 15 years old but less than 18 years old on Election Day; able to read and write Filipino, English or the local dialect; qualified voters of the Katipunan ng Kabataan of the Barangay where they intend to run for office and residents thereof at least 1 year immediately preceding the election; and must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Meanwhile, the Comelec slated October 14 until October 23, 2010 as the campaign period.
According to the poll body, voters can cast their votes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 25, 2010 while the counting and canvassing of votes will immediately start after the casting of votes.
He said the government has contingency plans in the event of any untoward incident during the election day and assured that the "peace and order in this region is manageable.”
The region’s poll official added that government security forces are set to be deployed in certain areas considered as “immediate concern”, particularly in Surigao.
In a related development, top police and military commanders in Northeastern Mindanao pledged on Friday to closely coordinate each other to help the Comelec in the implementation of the election laws, rules and regulations.
The AFP and PNP are both tasked to assist the Comelec on election duties.
Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, regional director of PRO 13 and Brig. Gen. Emiliano R. Gupana ll, commanding general of the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade to strictly enforce the “gun ban” drive and continue dismantling crime group in the area to maintain peaceful and orderly election in the forth-coming barangay and SK elections.
No comments:
Post a Comment