By Sarwell Meniano/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Leyte provincial office has asked local government officials to help take down illegally posted campaign materials.
In a meeting with mayors at the provincial capitol on Wednesday, Comelec Leyte provincial director Juan Bautista Beato Jr. said they need the help of local government officials since it is part of their mandate to ensure a clean surrounding.
“Local government officials can help use since they are aware of rules on campaign poster. In the next few days, we will conduct Operation Baklas, a drive to remove all campaign materials which do not conform the prescribed size and locations imposed by the Comelec,” Beato said.
The poll body, Beato said, needs more support in enforcing election-related laws with the very limited manpower from Comelec-deputized agencies such as the Philippine National Police and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“I hope our incumbent officials will participate even if they are candidates in the upcoming mid-term elections. Helping in this campaign is part of fulfilling their duty,” Beato added.
The prescribed maximum size of the Comelec for all the tarpaulins and posters is two feet by three feet or three feet by two feet depending on whether these are horizontal or vertical and should only be posted and placed in the designated campaign areas.
The campaign materials, can, however, be posted on private property with consent. Campaign materials removed outside the common poster area can be claimed at local election offices.
The campaign period for senatorial bets and party-list groups has kicked off on Feb. 12 or 90 days before May 13 election day. Local candidates will start their campaign activities on March 30.
Under the election code, all candidates should stop wooing voters on May 11.
