Comelec Commissioner George Garcia (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it will seriously consider the proposal to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Negros Oriental in October amid the prevailing political tension in the province.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the commission may or may not defer the upcoming polls in the province depending on the situation.
"It should be seriously and carefully studied by the Commission,” Garcia said in a radio interview in reaction to the proposal of Senator Francis Tolentino to defer the Barangay and SK elections in Negros Oriental amid the current peace and order situation in the province.
The province is experiencing high political tension following the death of
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others last month, which was allegedly masterminded by Rep. Arnolfo Teves.
Garcia said the Comelec could postpone the polls based on Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code which allows the body to defer the elections, either via motu proprio or upon a verified petition.
Based on the section: An election can be postponed should there be "any serious cause, such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature" that makes the holding of free, orderly, and honest election impossible.
But Garcia said the body will still study the situation in the province if it warrants the suspension of the elections.
“Admittedly, we have the power to postpone the elections in an area," he added.
Election officers can transfer venue of filing of COCs
Meanwhile, election officers could seek a transfer of venue for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) in connection with the upcoming October polls.
Comelec Resolution No. 10904 promulgated on April 19, 2023, said the local Comelec officers may ask for a transfer of venue if it is needed.
"The Commission anticipates numerous requests from Election Officers (EOs) for change of venue for the filing of COC as their respective offices are not suitable due to reasons of security of aspirants and/or Comelec employees, limited space, or other valid grounds," it said.
The election officers could file their request for transfer of venue for the filing of COCs not later than July 28, 2023, to their Provincial Election Supervisor and/or Regional Election Director.
It noted that the proposed new venue must not be owned, leased, or occupied by any incumbent official or any person who is related to any incumbent official within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or any officer of the government or leader of any political party, group or faction, nor in any building or surrounding premises under the actual control of a private entity, political party or religious organization.
The place must also be of sufficient size to admit and comfortably accommodate a reasonable number of aspirants at one time; located within the territory or jurisdiction of the Office of the EO concerned.
It should also be along a public road and in central as possible.
The COC filing period for the October 30 polls has been set from August 28 to September 2, 2023. (PNA)
