Comelec starts deployment of ballots for BSKE

MANILA, Philippines — Deployment of the official ballots to be used in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30 will start tomorrow.

In a notice, Commission on Elections (Comelec) packing and shipping committee head J. Thaddeus Hernan said the Comelec would also deploy election returns, canvassing forms and indelible ink, among others.

Hernan said the deployment schedule is from Oct. 5 to 20.

“The strategy is that far-flung areas will be prioritized while the nearer ones will be deployed later,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.

The Comelec said poll paraphernalia from the Comelec warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna would be deployed to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Caraga, Soccsksargen, Davao, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Bicol Region, Calabarzon and Mimaropa.

Ballots and other election forms from the National Printing Office in Quezon City are for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Garcia said poll paraphernalia would be sent to the city and municipal treasurer’s offices.

The Comelec had earlier deployed non-accountable forms to be used in the BSKE. These include envelopes, folders, pens and thumbprint mats.

Show-cause orders

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, the Comelec said it has issued show-cause orders against 47 candidates amid allegations of premature campaigning.

Provincial Comelec supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said EB Magalona recorded the highest number of candidates issued show-cause orders at 23 followed by Bacolod City, nine; Himamaylan City, eight; Sipalay and Bago, two each, and La Carlota and Kabankalan, one each.

Ananoria said more show-cause orders are expected to be issued by the Comelec as candidates accused of premature campaigning are seen to also file complaints against their rivals.

He said concerned candidates have 24 hours to answer the show-cause orders.

Ananoria reminded candidates to wait for Oct. 19 to 28, the official campaign period to ”do all the campaigning we want legally.”