The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will begin preparing next month for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections poised to be conducted in December.
During the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, May 24, Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said that they will do this despite talks of the postponement or resetting of the said polls. He added that they are not yet considering this since there is no such law signed yet stating it.
A registration of voters is slated for July, according to Garcia and they are also in the process of preparing the materials that will be used in the barangay and SK elections which will be conducted manually and not automated.
He added that if the elections were to be postponed, they will have no problem with it since it will also be beneficial for the government who will save P8.6 billion which is the allocated budget for the barangay and SK elections.
"Comelec will continue with its preparations until such time there is a Republic Act promulgated or issued at napirmahan (signed) stating that the barangay elections is already postponed or reset or rescheduled," Comelec Acting Spokesperson Rex John Rex C. Laudiangco said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
The scheduled date of the conduct of the barangay and SK elections should it push through will be on December 5. With the poll body left with just six months to prepare for it, Laudiangco said that they cannot afford to cease its preparations without the Republic Act.
Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Teopisto Elnas also shared that the poll body had a meeting with the regional directors about the readiness of the Office of Election Officers in connection to the voter's registration machine and the forms and supplies available.
He reminded that the registration is not exclusive to regular voters but also to those aged 15 to 17 for the SK elections. He added that the conduct of the registration in July is subject for the approval of the Commission En Banc.
Elnas stressed that they will continue with their preparations just in case no law will be signed so that the Comelec will not be remiss in its duties and responsibilities and will be capable to conduct the barangay and SK elections.