The Commission on Elections has issued a revised calendar of activities for the conduct of the 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled in December.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia told the Daily Tribune that this will not affect the poll body's preparations for the upcoming polls, saying the move will help resolve obstacles to early filing of Certificates of Candidacy.
"No effect whatsoever. This move will surely help resolve legal obstacles or consequences of early filing of CoC," Garcia said.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the revision of the calendar of activities was due to the House version of the bill seeking to postpone 2022 BSKE where it does not have a provision on what will happen with the CoCs filed from 6 to 13 October if it becomes a law, adding that there is no certainty on the Senate version if it also have the same provision.
He also said gun ban violations and other election offenses will be significantly affected and complicated if the postponement pushes through.
"Any violation of the Gun Ban and other Prohibited Acts (Election Offenses) starting October 6, 2022 that will be subjected to preliminary investigation, inquest or perhaps, filing of appropriate information in regional trial courts will be significantly affected and complicated in case the BSKE postponement bill becomes a law," Laudiangco said.
Under Comelec Resolution 10846, amending Comelec Resolution 10831, the election period will now be effective 6 November to 20 December, instead of 6 October to 12 December 2022 where the election gun ban will also be in effect.
The filing of CoC for those who intend to run for barangay and SK polls will now be from 22 to 29 October, except 23 October which falls on a Sunday.
The campaign period will remain as scheduled from 25 November to 3 December, while on the eve of the election day (4 December), liquor ban will also be in effect until the election day.
The voting hours on the election day (5 December), will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the canvassing of votes.
The electorate will choose who will they elect for the position of punong barangay (barangay captain), and seven kagawads (members of Sangguniang Barangay), as well as SK chairperson, and seven SK kagawads that will serve for three years.
A total of 42,046 vacant positions for barangay chairperson and SK chairperson respectively will be up for grabs, while 294,322 for barangay kagawad and SK kagawad respectively.
All candidates who ran, won or lost in the barangay and SK polls are required to file their Statement of Contribution and Expenditures before their respective Comelec field offices on or before 4 January 2023.
