Comelec holds mock polls in 30 barangays

MANILA, Philippines — To better prepare for the May 12 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold mock polls today in 30 barangays across the country.

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said mock polls are necessary to give the poll body a chance to assess its preparations for the automated election system or AES.

“The mock elections will simulate the end-to-end voting process. This is not a simple exercise, but is being done by the Comelec in accordance with the law,” Laudiangco said.

Republic Act 9369 provides that the conduct of mock elections is among the requirements of the Comelec’s technical evaluation committee before it can certify that the AES is operating properly, securely and accurately.

The activity involves actual registered voters and participating polling precincts.

In Metro Manila, the mock polls will be conducted in the villages of San Pedro and Sta. Ana in Pateros, Ususan and Pinagsama in Taguig, and Poblacion and Pio del Pilar in Makati.

In Luzon, the mock polls will be held in Poblacion and Guinaang in Bontoc, Poblacion and Angkeling in Sagada, Mountain Province as well as Dela Paz and San Juan in Antipolo City and Special District and Bagumbong in Jala-Jala, Rizal.

In the Visayas, the mock polls will be conducted in the villages of Taboc and San Gabriel in Borongan and Poblacion 9 and Masloc in Lawaan, Eastern Samar.

The mock elections in Mindanao will be conducted in Washington and San Isidro in Surigao City, and Poblacion and Guinaang in Placer, Surigao del Norte.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the mock polls will be held in Sulu, particularly in the villages of Walled City and Bus-bus in Jolo, and Taglibi and Anuling in Patikul.

A similar activity will be conducted in Batulawan and Fort Pikit in Malidegao, and Pedtad and Tamped in Old Kabakan, which is included in the BARMM’s special geographic areas.

Arrested gun ban violators now 334

Meanwhile, the number of people arrested for violating the Comelec gun ban has increased to 334 from 274 previously, according to the Philippine National Police.

The PNP said up to 337 firearms have been confiscated since the election period started on Jan. 12.

The National Capital Region logged the highest number of confiscated firearms with 97 followed by Central Luzon with 78 and Central Visayas with 36.

Five suspected election-related incidents were reported across the country, with one each in Ilocos and Soccsksargen and three in Western Visayas.

Of the 337 firearms, 56 were seized at checkpoints, 195 in police responses, 76 in entrapments and 10 from other lawful arrests.

Regions that reported lower but notable gun seizures were Calabazon with 24, Western Visayas with 16 and Zamboanga peninsula with 12.

The Comelec gun ban is strictly enforced to prevent poll-related violence and ensure public safety during the election period. — Mark Ernest Villeza