This year's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections have concluded after the voting and vote-counting processes were finished in all the Philippines' 42,000 barangays.

According to the Commission on Elections spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco Wednesday, a barangay in Calbayog City, Samar, is the only remaining area to be canvassed as voting was delayed due to security concerns.

"There is only one area where we are waiting for the canvassing to be finished. The said barangay is Barangay Naguma, in Calbayog City. For two days on 30 and 31 October they could not conduct elections because on the 30th, when they were on their way early in the morning, they were harassed by an unknown group," Laudiangco said.

PNP and AFP personnel, he said, were fired upon by the unknown group, so they did not continue and returned to Calbayog City.

Laudiangco added that the Army and police have already neutralized the situation in the said barangay after the arrest of the five members of a private armed group.

He said about 29 cases were validated in the election-related incidents, resulting in 19 killings and 19 injuries.

When asked about the possibility of fully automated elections in 2025, Laudiangco said the pilot testing was successful and that it is possible for the upcoming elections as long as there is enough time and budget.

"The Comelec can do that if we have enough time and funds. If we are really going to automate and will be given funds, it is necessary as early as 2024 that we can procure and prepare for it," he added.

The Comelec is considering expanding mall voting as it gained positive voter results.

"The voters are happy. We are thankful to the mall owners for providing voting booths, staff, and facilities, which are free and at no cost provided by the Robinsons Malls and SM Supermalls," he said.

Laudiangco urged all candidates to respect the people's decisions and promote peace in their communities.

Meanwhile, Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the Comelec may forge a data-sharing agreement with the Office of the Ombudsman to block the candidacies of individuals permanently disqualified from holding public office.