The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental is preparing for the filing of certificates of candidacy by aspirants in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in November, an official said Monday.
Comelec-Negros Oriental Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba said the poll body will continue preparations for the elections despite a pending proposal to postpone the BSKE.
“Until such time that we receive a formal announcement from the Comelec as to the postponement of the BSKE, we will continue with our activities calendared for the said elections,” Aba told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.
The filing of COCs for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan aspirants is scheduled from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5, while the campaign period is set from Oct. 22 to 31.
As part of its preparations, the Comelec is conducting an inventory of office equipment in the province, including serviceable and non-serviceable computers, which Aba said is an “incidental significant part” of preparations for the COC filing.
He noted that the Comelec conducts an annual inventory of its offices and equipment regardless of whether an election is scheduled during the year.
Aba also said the provincial Comelec office has completed its inventory of official ballot boxes that will be used for the manual voting scheduled on Nov. 2.
He urged prospective candidates to complete the documentary requirements for COC filing ahead of time and said they may visit any Comelec office for guidance on the requirements.
Aba also reminded BSKE aspirants that a birth certificate is now a mandatory attachment to the COC for the BSKE and succeeding elections.
Meanwhile, the Comelec-Negros Island Region, headed by Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, spearheaded an activity on strengthening law enforcement and operational preparedness for the BSKE 2026 held on Aug. 26 at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office. (PNA)