Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia on Friday confirmed that the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will be moved from Dec. 1, 2025 to November 2026.
“The Palace informed us that there will be a formal signing of the law (regarding) BSKE fixing of term and postponement on August 12 at 2 p.m.,” Garcia told reporters in a Viber message.
Garcia said that the postponement will be announced when the 10-day registration period in preparation for the BSKE elections begins.
The Comelec chief said the legislation will also establish uniform term limits, permitting barangay (village) chairpersons and councilors (kagawad) to hold office for two consecutive four-year terms, whereas SK officials will be restricted to one four-year term.
The change aims to align the length of terms, particularly since the current officials have only served for two years due to previous election delays.
The last BSKE were held in October 2023 after multiple postponements.
Garcia said they are ready to implement President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive.
“Should the village and youth elections be delayed, he mentioned that the election body would have additional time to prepare following the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on October 1,” according to the poll body chairman.
“The quality of preparations will be compromised due to the limited one-month gap between the two elections… However, if it is postponed, we will be in a better position to prepare for the BSKE,” Garcia added.
