BACOLOD City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental will start removing illegal campaign materials today.
The 10-day campaign period for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) began yesterday.
Comelec-Negros Occidental Elections Supervisor, Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, said the province-wide “Operation Baklas” targets campaign materials posted outside designated areas such as waiting sheds, barangay halls, electrical posts, and trees.
He again reminded candidates to strictly adhere to the Comelec’s rules and regulations to avoid potential problems.
The following public places will not be the subject of “Operation Baklas”: plazas, markets, barangay centers, and other similar places where posters may be readily seen or read and with the heaviest pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic in the city of municipality.
Candidates must also adhere to the size of election materials which is two feet by three feet.
Such materials should bear the caption “political advertisement paid by” followed by the address of the payer.
Campaign content should avoid transgressing gender sensitivity standards, obscenities, or anything discriminatory or offensive, especially against the Magna Carta of Women.
Furthermore, candidates are prohibited from distributing items such as t-shirts, ballers, bags, caps, and other items.
Meanwhile, live streaming of the candidate’s social media platforms will be considered a form of “e-rally” which is subject it to the Comelec’s existing rules.
Ananoria also revealed yesterday morning that the Comelec has issued five additional show-cause orders against BSKE candidates in the province due to alleged premature campaigning, bringing the total to 149.
He added the Comelec will issue separate show-cause orders against candidates who are posting campaign materials outside the common poster areas. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
