/PNA
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday the campaign period for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite to be held on January 21 is only until Saturday.
“It will already be a prohibited activity by Sunday to promote whether you’re on one side or the other. Campaigning and rallies? These are already prohibited after Saturday,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters.
Jimenez, however, said they will not stop those who would like to disseminate information regarding the referendum.
The Comelec official explained that the campaign period for the January 21 polls is different from the campaign period for the second plebiscite set on February 6.
The plebiscite on Monday will be held in the geographical areas comprising the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as well as Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City.
On the other hand, the February plebiscite will be held in the province of Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City; the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigkawayan in the province of North Cotabato; and the 28 areas contiguous to any of the Bangsamoro core areas.
These 28 areas asked to be included in the plebiscite, either through a resolution submitted by the local government or a petition signed by at least 10 percent of the total number of the registered voters there.
