As the spread of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron continues in different countries, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday (Nov. 29) answered whether it is possible for the 2022 Elections to be cancelled in case the new variant enters the Philippines.

According to the Comelec, the elections cannot be cancelled because it would be a violation of a free and fair election.

Postponement, however, is possible.

“If there is an outbreak of such magnitude, that the Comelec decides it would be necessary to postpone the elections, then yes, you can perform the election and remember you have 30 days to resolve that problem,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.

The possible delay of the election cannot occur at the same time nationwide, but it is possible to happen in one place only through granular lockdown.

The Comelec also warns political exploiters of declaring the lockdown for their own benefits.

“Kapag nag-lockdown naman iyong tinatawag nating granular lockdown, we’re going to have to deal with that when it happens, right? One of the things going on now, we are discussing the possibility that some local politician might get it into their head to actually declare a granular lockdown,” Jimenez said.

“In that case, may ano tayo sa IATF. Because even granular lockdown, may appeal iyan. May appeal process iyan. Doon sa regional IATF ina-appeal iyan. What we can have is a facilitated process or challenge the untimely declaration,” he said. – PTV News/PG-rir