By PNA
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started preparations for the scheduled mock elections in at least two sites here on January 19.
Lawyer April Mitchor-Miguel, city election officer, said Friday that Comelec central office has included Barangays Dadiangas West and Upper Labay as sites for the nationwide mock polls.
She said the city was among the two areas in Region 12 or Soccsksargen that were chosen for the activity, as part of preparations for the upcoming May 13 local and national midterm elections.
The mock polls here will be conducted at the Pedro Acharo Elementary School in Barangay Dadiangas West and Upper Labay Elementary School in Barangay Upper Labay, she said.
During the activity, Miguel said they will conduct a simulation of the procedures for the elections.
She said at least 100 selected registered voters will participate in the mock polls in each of the voting sites.
“We will open a precinct and there will be an actual voting using a vote counting machine. These will be handled by designated teachers serving as board of election inspectors,” she told reporters in an interview.
She said they will test whether the machines would function properly and transmit the correct results.
Miguel said results of the mock polls will determine possible adjustments and other improvements to the procedure.
Meantime, the official reminded residents and local officials to strictly comply with the prohibited acts at the start of the election period on Sunday (January 13).
She said these include the prohibition on the carrying of firearms or gun ban.
The other prohibited acts include the alteration of territory of a precinct or the establishment of a new precinct, transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service, unauthorized use of security personnel/bodyguards by candidates and organization of reaction forces, strike forces, and related units.
“We’re urging everyone to cooperate as the objective of these rules is mainly to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the elections,” she added.
