COMELEC exec: no prohibitions yet on “campaigning” after filing of COCs

The Commission on Election in Negros Oriental said yesterday that no one can be charged for premature campaigning, electioneering or similar violations when these are undertaken before January 2013, provincial election supervisor Eddie Aba said.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy of those running for any elective position in the May 2013 elections is October 1 to 5, but the election period does not start until January 13 through June 12, 2013, under COMELEC Resolution 9385, Aba said.

Election laws are therefore not yet applicable, he added.

Aba was reacting to comments that political parties and personalities in Dumaguete City and some parts of Negros Oriental are already hogging the limelight with programs, projects and activities perceived to be part of their campaign.

Photographs of politicians on tarpaulins and other advertising materials and an increase in block-timers and broadcast airtime have been noticed in the past weeks.

Aba added that pre-election activities continue at the provincial and local levels to prepare the COMELEC officers and teachers who will compose the Board of Election Inspectors for next year’s polls.*JFP

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