By Leslie Ann Aquino The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday urged local candidates in the May 13 midterm polls to remove their premature campaign materials 72 hours before the start of their campaign period on March 29. (MANILA BULLETIN) “The Comelec reminds candidates to immediately remove all prohibited forms of election propaganda at least 72 hours before the start of the campaign period,” read the notice issued by the poll body. “Otherwise, said candidate or party shall be presumed to have committed the pertinent election offense during said campaign period for local candidates,” it further read. In a Memorandum dated March 25, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez asked regional election directors to issue a similar reminder to local candidates in their respective areas. Local candidates include those running for member, House of Representatives; provincial governor; provincial vice governor; member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan; mayor; vice mayor; member, Sangguniang Panlungsod; and member Sangguniang Bayan. Prohibited forms of election propaganda include those that are posted outside of common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner. Earlier, Jimenez already asked local bets to start removing their premature campaign materials such as those that are illegally placed or oversized, saying these will all be violative of the campaign rules starting March 29. Under the law, those who filed their certificates of candidacy will only become candidates at the start of the campaign period. The campaign period for local candidates will run from March 29 to May 11.