MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday appealed to national and local candidates in the May 13 mid-term polls to avoid holding their campaign motorcades on narrow and congested streets of Metro Manila.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez urged those running in the forthcoming elections to be more considerate by not blocking small roads while campaigning.
“We appeal to candidates not to bring their caravans in narrow streets. If they must, please consider not making any stops or else you’ll become a big blockade,” he said in an interview.
“Keep in mind that Metro Manila streets are narrow and all you have is really one and a half lane while the other half is occupied by parked vehicles,” he said.
Jimenez noted that appealing to the candidates and their supporters is the least they can do since it is under the jurisdiction of the local government.
“Utilization of city streets is actually a very technical field. And we are not competent on that aspect. That should be a local government function. Their own traffic bureau understand it better,” he said.
The campaign period for national and local candidates in the May 13 polls is ongoing and will end on May 11.
Meanwhile, the Comelec is holding a concert on Wednesday in Manila as part of its information drive in connection with the May elections.
Jimenez said the admission for the live music concert, dubbed as “Swing Vote”, is free and will be held at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium starting at 5 p.m.
“We will be talking about voter education and we will be providing a little bit of entertainment for those who are in the area,” he said.
Those who will perform are Gang Badoy Capati, Bopek, ACGY, Bird, Marlo Mortel, and the Comelec band, Parokya ni Piston. (PNA)
