The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will push through in December unless a new law postponing it is passed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.
Comelec acting spokesperson Rex Laudiangco made the statement after the poll regulator resumed the registration for the barangay and SK elections scheduled on December 5 this year.
The Comelec said the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the respective districts, cities, and municipalities started accepting applications for registration last July 2 until to July 23.
They will be open during office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays.
The poll body reminded that application for registration as voters has to be filed personally.
“Comelec will continue with its preparations until such time there is a republic act promulgated, issued and signed stating that the barangay elections are postponed or reset or rescheduled,” Laudiangco said.
“We will also start looking for equipment that will be used, especially in ballot printing. Let us remember, our barangay elections are conducted manually,” he said.
The poll regulator is also is expecting an additional 300,000 to 400,000 new voters with the resumption of its voter registration.
“We expect around 300,000 to 400,000 more will be added to the 65 million plus. So our regular voters for the barangay will be around 66 million,” Laudiangco said.
He also said that two ballots will be used in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections scheduled on December 5 this year. He explained that those aged 15 to 17 will receive one SK ballot, those 18 to 30 years old will receive both the SK and regular barangay ballot, while those aged 31 and above will receive only the barangay ballot.
Unlike in the last May 9 national and local elections which were automated, he said the BSKE will be manual.
“The difference between NLE and BSKE is the manner. Practically, the personnel involved and equipment are just the same. The difference is the machine and ballot. This is manual,” Laudiangco said.