Strict compliance To prevent widespread violation of the rules on campaign materials that occurred in the past elections, the Comelec issued a stern warning to candidates in the May 2019 polls to remove non-compliant campaign materials or face possible disqualification. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday asked candidates in the May elections to take down campaign materials that do not comply with the standards set by the poll body before the campaign period starts.

“Every single bit of campaign propaganda right now will automatically be in violation of campaign rules when 12 February comes for senatorial candidates,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said. “All of them should be removed, because they are too large and, obviously, they are not in common poster areas.”

Such offense may lead to disqualification of the candidate.

He warned the Comelec would not accept excuses such as “someone else or supporters put that up for me.”

“If those materials are still up after the start of the campaign period, then it can be presumed they are up because the candidate allowed them to remain up,” Jimenez said. “It is clear they are benefiting from their presence and that might be a way to hold them liable.”

Jimenez said such offense may lead to disqualification of the candidate concerned.

According to Comelec rules, the size limit of election candidates’ posters is only two feet by three feet and anything bigger than this would be considered a violation.

The Comelec added its local officers will also designate specific common poster areas where candidates are allowed to post their campaign materials.

Meanwhile, the Comelec also announced it can start printing of ballots this weekend for the 2019 midterm elections.

Jimenez said the poll body can start the printing as early as 2 February since the names of candidates have been forwarded to the poll body’s Information Technology Department for loading on the printers.

He also noted the list still includes those who filed their certificates of candidacy for senator with pending issues like Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III. Likewise, the list still includes 13 bets who may be tagged later on as nuisance candidates.