Special polls set Sept. 12

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold special elections in some parts of the country tentatively on Sept. 12, Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said yesterday.

The poll body will be finalizing the details of the special elections next week, Larrazabal said.

“We need at least eight weeks to prepare for the special elections, that is why we have tentatively set that date of the special elections,” he said.

Special elections will be conducted in 345 clustered precincts in Basilan and 28 clustered precincts in Lanao del Sur where the May 10 polls failed due to election-related violence and intimidation.

An election will also be held for congressman in 442 clustered precincts in Malolos City, Bulacan.

No schedule has yet been set for the special polls on Dinagat Island.

The Comelec will use 897 precinct count optical scan machines for the special elections.