The Commission on Elections will hold simulated mock elections in at least 26 areas nationwide in preparation for the 2019 national and local elections.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the mock elections would be held on Jan. 19, Saturday, from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., and aimed at refining the process of polling and canvassing before the May elections.
In the mock elections in 2016, he said, the Comelec observed a number of problems that were quickly corrected.
In Luzon, the mock elections will be held in Alaminos City and Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Tuguegarao City and Aparri in Cagayan; Quezon City 1st and 2nd districts; Manila, 5th district; Pasig, 2nd district; Taguig; Pateros; Valenzuela, 1st district; and Muntinlupa.
In the Visayas, they will be held in Cebu City, 1st district, and Santander, Cebu; and Cortes in Bohol.
In Mindanao, the mock elections will be held in Dapitan City and Sergio Osmeña Sr. in Zamboanga del Norte; Digos City and Bansalan in Davao del Sur; General Santos City and Surallah in South Cotabato; Jolo and Tongkil in Sulu; and Lamitan and Sumisip in Basilan.
The Comelec also said that it would maintain the numbers as raffled to accredited party-list groups which would determine the order in which they will be listed on official ballots, on the understanding that the numbers of those who are later disqualified would be canceled.
On Wednesday, the Philippine National Police said 83 people were arrested and 82 firearms were confiscated in checkpoints nationwide in the first three days of the election period.
READ: 2 killed, 10 nabbed at checkpoints
READ: Senate bets down to 82—Comelec