THE countdown for the January 21 plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) officially begins Friday, December 7, as several parts of Mindanao enter both the plebiscite and campaign periods.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10432, the plebiscite period will run from December 7 until February 5.
During this period, the Comelec prohibits the carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons, as well as the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates.
Other prohibited acts during this period are: altering the territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service; organizing or maintaining strike forces or similar forces; and suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer.
The campaign period for the BOL plebiscite also started Friday.
During the campaign period, the Comelec is tasked to supervise the conduct of information campaigns on the plebiscite in every barangay, municipality, city, and province where the activity will be conducted, while also allowing information dissemination and public advocacy initiatives by the other government or non-governmental groups or individuals.
In addition, every barangay within the plebiscite areas is directed to hold at least one assembly or “pulong-pulong” during the campaign period, in a bid to enlighten the voters about the law.
Based on the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), being eyed for inclusion are the current provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which are Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Also being eyed for inclusion in the would-be region are 39 barangays in North Cotabato, six municipalities in Lanao del Norte, and the cities of Cotabato in Maguindanao and Isabela in Basilan. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)