Tuesday, January 09, 2007 5-month gun ban to start Jan. 14
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to impose the gun ban from January 14 to June 13.
Comelec said that bearing, carrying, and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in public areas even if these are covered by permits or licenses would be strictly prohibited.
All those who want to seek exemption will have to get a permit from the Committee on Firearms and Security Personnel in Comelec's central office in Manila.
Comelec-Southern Mindanao will issue exemption permits only for the personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
During the election period, the following government actions will also be prohibited: suspension of elective officials; transfer of officers and employees in the civil service; organization or maintenance of strike forces or other similar forces; and the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates.
The filing of candidacy for those who will seek a senatorial seat and local elective posts will start on January 15.
As part of its campaign for cleaner and a more credible elections in May, Comelec has tasked the offices of election officers in the city to cleanse the voters list that they would submit to the Comelec central office in Manila.
Erroneous entries, names of the deceased, entries lacking data, and double registration are immediately removed from the list.
Also, on Election Day, in order to prevent flying voters, Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos has ordered the use of a computerized voters list that has the photo of the corresponding voter.
But this is only applicable to those who registered for the 2004 and 2006 elections. (CPM)
