The Commission on Elections has issued show cause orders to 1,200 candidates for their alleged involvement in premature campaigning for the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.
“After the filing of the COC (Certificate of Candidacy), more than 1,200 have been sent show cause orders by our task force against illegal or premature campaigning. Over 300 have already responded,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said in a television interview yesterday.
The poll body earlier warned local officials they will face charges if they interfere in the issuance of the show cause orders and the removal of illegal campaign materials.
As this developed, Laudiangco said the National Printing Office has turned over the certification of completion of the printing of 92 million BSKE ballots and other election forms.
The NPO printed 66,973,949 barangay ballots and 23,639,477 SK ballots.
Laudiangco said some 2,092,147 official ballots were also printed for the October 30 plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan into a highly urbanized city.
The BSKE will see a contest for 42,027 village chief positions; 294,189 Sangguniang Barangay members; 42,027 SK chairman; and 294,189 SK members.
Laudiangco said Comelec is now consulting with the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance, and the Commission on Audit on the early distribution of the honorarium of public school teachers who will serve as poll workers.
The Comelec is likewise proposing to allow early voting for senior citizens, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and indigenous people on election day.