The Commission on Elections released Thursday the implementing rules and regulations for next year’s national elections that paves the way for the holding of “e-rallies” as an alternative to physical sorties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IRR will govern the implementation of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
Live streaming of e-rallies shall be conducted every night, beginning February 8, 2022, on the official social media channels of Comelec.
The e-rallies will cover presidential, vice-presidential, and senatorial candidates as well as party-list organizations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it would intensify a crackdown on unauthorized firearms, bodyguards, and other acts prohibited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ahead of next year's elections.
This, as PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos directed the concerned PNP Directorial Staff and all area police commanders and national support units to consolidate all resources, personnel, and support systems to effectively cope with the mandated police duties to implement Comelec Resolution No. 10728.
Among the provisions of the Comelec IRR, promulgated as Comelec Resolution 10730, tasked the poll body’s Education and Information Department to provide a platform for free livestreaming of e-rallies for presidential, vice-presidential, and senatorial candidates as well as party-list organizations.
Live streaming of e-rallies shall be conducted every night, beginning February 8, 2022, on the official social media channels of Comelec.
The PNP resolution covers the 2022 election period from January 9 to June 8, 2022, or a total of 150 calendar days.
“I have already laid down my guidance to the PNP commanders during the Command Conference last Monday, and I expect this guidance to be cascaded and adapted in operations planning by lower units,” Carlos said in a statement.
Comelec Resolution 10728 provides that “No person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or deadly weapons outside his/her residence or place of business, and in all public places, including any building, street, park, and in private vehicles or public conveyances, even if he/she is licensed or authorized to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the [Comelec], through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns."
The same resolution provides that only PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard, and members of other law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry and possess firearms while in agency-prescribed uniform and performing official functions during the election period.
On security detail, the Comelec prohibits candidates or any public officers from employing bodyguards and private security forces.
Carlos said a gradual recall would be implemented in the coming days for police personnel on security detail to local executives and other VIPs with verified threats.
“A complete accounting of police personnel with detail orders to provide security to some public officials and some private individuals is now underway to hasten the recall process,” he added.
Affected local officials and other VIPs (very important persons) may apply to the Comelec for security detail upon endorsement of the PNP.
"The PNP will be steadfast and uncompromising in implementing the provisions of Comelec Resolution No. 10728 to ensure peaceful, honest, and orderly national elections," Carlos added.