The Commission Elections (Comelec) said on Monday, Aug.29 that it cannot stop its preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) initially slated for December this year.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco stated in a radio program that procurement of necessary equipment such as ballpens, secrecy folders, indelible inks, thumbprint taker, is currently laid out. Also included are "anti-Covid" supplies such as temperature takers, thermal scanners, and alcohol.
"Lahat yan nagkakaroon na ng procurement through competitive public bidding. Ineexpect natin na matapos lahat yan by September. Para ito ay madeliver sa October at ng maideploy ng November (All of these have acquired procurement through competitive public bidding. We are expecting it to finish by September so it can be delivered by October and be deployed in November)," he said.
If ever the Republic Act (RA) amending RA 11462, Laudiangco stated that they can still halt the procurement process. But if it occurs after September considering the timelines, he added that it will not go to waste.
"Hindi kami pwede huminto sa paghahanda para sa BSKE. Unless may pirmadong batas na ilalabas...Kailangan kami magpatuloy sa paghahanda para pagdating ng December 5, naka-all systems go kami (We cannot stop preparing for BSKE. Unless there is a law signed that will be released...We need to proceed with our preparations so by December 5, we're all-systems-go)," he explained.
Meanwhile, Laudiangco said that they have recycled ballot boxes and have conducted inventory. He also stated that there's an adequate number of it since they add more every election. He assured however, that the poll body is prepared in case it would need more.