The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the filing of certificate of candidacy for the vacant position of Negros Oriental third district will be Nov. 6 up to Nov. 8, while election will be held Dec. 9, 2023.
The special election will be conducted to fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives created by the expulsion of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves.
Comelec chairman George Garcia has confirmed that the poll body has received the Certification of Permanent Vacancy and the Resolution Calling for a Special Election from the House of Representatives.
After this three-day window, the election period will officially be in effect from Nov.9 to Dec. 24 to ensure safety before, during, and after election day. Gun ban will be in effect during the election period, Garcia said.
“It is prohibited to bear, carry, or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless the appropriate Certificate of Authority has been secured from the Comelec,” the Comelec said.
Disbursement of public funds and construction of public works will also be prohibited from the start of the election period until one day before the voting. Similarly, there can be no “hiring of new employees, creation and filling of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases” during the same period. Candidates can conduct their official campaign from Nov. 9 to Dec. 7 only.
From the eve until election day, the third district of Negros Oriental will also have a liquor ban. “Voting hours on Dec. 9, is from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Upon close of voting, the counting and canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates will immediately follow,” according to the Comelec.