DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental –The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental is all set for the holding of the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on May 14.
Provincial election supervisor Eddie Aba said Tuesday everything is in place for the polls, with measures to be instituted at the start of the election period on April 14.
“We have already finalized the voting precincts, posted the certified voters’ lists at prescribed premises, and also constituted the members of the electoral board and the barangay board of canvassers, including the DepEd (Department of Education) and support staff,” Aba said.
He added that the main office of the Comelec is continuing with the printing of ballots and is in the process of making arrangements for the honoraria of the DepEd and support staff who will serve during the elections.
The honoraria will be paid through the use of cash cards, he added.
As for the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Council (PJSCC), the election supervisor said they have already identified its members at the provincial, city and municipal levels in Negros Oriental.
“We will be formally activating our respective Joint Security Coordinating Councils at all levels” at the start of the election period on April 14,” he said.
Aba added that he will be convening the PJSCC for a ceremonial manifestation before the start of the election period.
Immediately after 12 midnight of April 13, the Comelec will lead the conduct of checkpoints across the province, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army deputized by the poll body, he said.
As for the so-called election watch list areas, Aba said he is still awaiting the reports and recommendations from the PNP and the Army as they will determine the current peace and order status of each barangay.
The parameters for a barangay to be considered as an election watch list area are the same as in previous elections — having intense political rivalry, a history of election-related violent incidents, and security threats, such as the presence of armed groups, he added. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
