Manual ballots for village, youth polls

MANUAL ballots will be used in the village and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election on October 25, Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial supervisor Jessie Suarez said.

Suarez said Comelec has decided to do away with pre-printed ballots carrying the names of candidates because it would require huge costs.

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"If we use pre-printed ballots, we'll have to print ballots specific for a certain precinct and we'll have to deliver the respective ballots to the intended precincts. This will require bigger cost. Each blank ballot costs only P1.80 but if we use pre-printed ballots, it will cost higher," he said.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy for the barangay and SK posts will be from October 1 to October 13. Interested candidates can file their candidacy to the secretary of the barangay council.

The election period begins from September 25 to November 10 and the campaign period runs from October 14 to 23, the poll body added.

During the election period, Comelec will impose the ban on the issuance of appointments, promotions, creation of new positions, or giving of salary increases in government offices, agencies or instrumentalities.

Candidates’ use of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not the bodyguards are regular members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines or any other government law enforcement agencies, is not allowed.

Also prohibited is the construction or maintenance of any provincial, city, municipal or barangay-funded roads and bridges during the election period.

On the eve of the election (October 24) and on the election day on October 25, the campaigning, selling or serving intoxicating liquor and giving and accepting free transportation, food, drinks and other things of value are also prohibited.

The buying and selling of votes and holding of cockfights, boxing, horse racing and similar sports are also banned on election day. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)