May 2022 polls to push through -- Comelec

To those asking if the May 2022 polls will push through amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the answer is yes.

In fact, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) tentatively set the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) from Oct. 1 to 8, 2021.

"The May 2022 elections will definitely push through," Comelec Chairman Sheriff M. Abas said in a virtual press briefing Thursday, Feb. 11.

"It is the mandate of the Comelec to conduct the elections in May 2022," he added.

"The commission is preparing for the 2022 elections...we already have the calendar of activities," Abas said.

He said the upcoming polls will still be automated.

"Unless there's a new law our elections will still be automated," said Abas.

The country is set to use the old vote counting machines from Smartmatic in the May 2022 polls.

Voter registration for the upcoming polls is currently ongoing and will end on Sept. 30, 2021.