POLL watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) on Friday, May 27, expressed strong opposition to the proposed postponement of the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls in a bid to supposedly save funds and allocate them to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic response programs.
In a statement supported by other non-partisan organizations and coalitions, Lente said it is imperative for the next barangay and youth elections to push through as scheduled and as required by law.
"We amplify our call to the next Congress not to postpone the December 5, 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE)," said Lente.
"Although the pandemic response should be a top priority, this endeavor should not have collided with the citizen's basic right to elect barangay and SK leaders," it added.
The group said postponing the next BSKE would go against the standard of having periodic elections as provided in Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"We see the further postponement of the barangay and SK elections as an attack against grassroots democracy and community power," it said.
Add to this, Lente said, is the fact that the December 2022 elections should have been held back in May 2020.
"Since 2016, barangay elections have been postponed thrice. With this, we believe that the BSKE has been long overdue," said Lente.
Similarly, it said the government should take advantage of the 82.6 percent high voter turnout seen during the recently concluded national and local polls.
"We have noted the citizens' highly participative attitude that manifested prior, during, and after the May 9, 2022 elections," said Lente.
The group also said it would be wrong to take away the last opportunity for ordinary people to engage in public service as political dynasties have already gained stronghold of the national and local posts.
"We see the BSKE as the most attainable level of organic citizens' participation in public service and governance. BSKE is the best testament that citizens with limited resources would like to take part in nation-building given the right opportunities," it said.
Earlier, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, who is expected to assume as Speaker of the House in the next Congress, said they are looking at proposals to postpone the barangay and SK elections set in December.
Romualdez said the polls postponement is expected to save funds that could then be used for the country’s pandemic response.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already stated that it will continue preparing for the village and youth polls until there is a signed law postponing it. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)