THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set a date for the plebiscite for the ratification of the law renaming Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10600, Plebiscite Day will be held on a Saturday, December 7, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Counting and canvassing of votes shall immediately follow the close of voting with the proclamation of plebiscite results expected at its conclusion.

Plebiscite period is from November 7 to December 14.

During the plebiscite period, it is prohibited to carry or transport firearms and other deadly weapons in public places.

It shall also be prohibited to transfer or detail officers and employees in the civil service; suspend local elective officials; illegal release of prisoners; and organize or maintain strike forces during the Plebiscite Period.

Meanwhile, the information and campaign period is scheduled to begin also on November 7 and will end on December 5.

For the duration of the information and campaign period, barangay assemblies or fora are expected to be held regularly.

However, removing, destroying, or tampering of plebiscite propaganda materials shall be considered as a prohibited act during the Information and Campaign Period.

Republic Act No. 11297, which renamed Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro, took effect on April 17, 2019.

Records of the Comelec show that there were a total of 462,942 registered voters in Compostela Valley during the May 2019 national and local elections. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)