The campaign season for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023 officially started yesterday and will last for 10 days.

There are 42,001 barangays in the Philippines, corresponding to the same number of barangay and SK chairperson positions.

The Commission on Elections has identified 2,518 barangays as areas of concern, with Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urging voters to exercise their right while reporting any vote-buying or vote-selling activities.

"Voting is a sacred exercise of our democratic rights. Your votes are important, especially since the barangays play a big role in implementing government programs and policies," Abalos said in a statement.

He added the DILG and the Philippine National Police are ready to deploy more personnel to maintain public safety and security and prevent all forms of election-related violence in communities.

In Manila, around 30,000 candidates vying for 7,168 vacant posts in the BSKE started campaigning yesterday, immediately past midnight.

The Comelec has imposed stricter rules for the 2023 elections, prohibiting the giving away items such as T-shirts, caps, and fans, which were allowed in previous elections.

The Comelec has also learned that erring candidates, mostly incumbents, are using a new scheme to buy votes by contracting large numbers of so-called "watchers."

Only two watchers are allowed per candidate per precinct, the poll body said.

By Gilmore LeaÑo, Pat Santos and Jing Villamente