Frequent poll postponement may discourage voters — Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — Voters, especially the youth,  are likely to lose interest in the elections should the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls be postponed anew, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned yesterday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the continuous postponement of the elections could discourage people from voting.

“Recent pronouncements on the possibility of postpo-ning the 2018 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will most likely dampen the enthusiasm of voters,  particularly the youth who stand to face another year or more without their elected community youth leaders,” Jimenez said.

He described the scenario as both inevitable and unfortunate, noting the 2016 national and local elections showed the readiness and eagerness of Filipinos to engage politically through voting.

House justice committee chair Rey Umali is pushing for the postponement of the May 14 barangay and SK elections.

Umali said it would be better if the plebiscite for a new constitution would be held simultaneously with the May 2018 barangay and youth elections.

Jimenez said the Comelec is ready to implement whatever decision is reached by Congress on the May 14 polls.

The poll body said it is ready to conduct the barangay and SK elections.