The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will allow the early distribution of poll supplies and paraphernalia to concerned electoral boards (EBs) ahead of the May 9, 2022 polls.

In Resolution No. 10775, the Comelec said the concerned Provincial Election Supervisor; Election Officers of the National Capital Region, Zamboanga City, and Davao City, shall recommend to the Regional Election Director the approval of the request for early distribution of election forms, paraphernalia and supplies when any of the following circumstances are present:

•Considerable distance between the Office of the City/ Municipal Treasurer and the location of the Voting Center;

•Difficulty or lack of transportation between the Office of the City/ Municipal Treasurer and the Voting Center;

•The total number of precincts in the city or municipality is such that if the distribution of the election forms and paraphernalia is done early-in the morning of election day, not all the EBs will receive said forms, paraphernalia and supplies, and be at their assigned voting centers in time for the opening of polls; or

•The peace and order condition in the area justify early distribution to ensure the security of the election forms, paraphernalia, and supplies as well as the safety of the EBs.

The poll body said the concerned Regional Election Director shall submit his/her recommendation to the Commission En Banc, thru the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations at [email protected].

"In no case shall the early distribution of Election Forms, Paraphernalia and Supplies be authorized without the approval of the Commission En Banc," it said.

Upon approval of the request, the poll body said, the concerned Election Officer shall notify the candidates, registered political parties, coalitions or associations or organizations participating in the party-list system of representation in the city or municipality, or accredited citizens' arm, by posting a notice of the date, time and place of the early delivery, in the bulletin boards of the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) and of the city or municipal hall, and in at least three conspicuous places in the city or municipality, not later than three days before the schedule of early delivery of election forms, paraphernalia and supplies.

"All approved requests for early distribution of Election Forms, Paraphernalia and Supplies by the Commission En Banc shall be posted on the Commission on Elections website," it said.

The poll body said all requests must be submitted not later than April 15, 2022.

It added that all Request for Authority for Early Distribution must include the names of the Election Officer and Treasurer; the clustered precincts whose forms and supplies are to be released early; date and time of the release; location of the voting center; and the reason or reasons for the early release.

The Comelec said the early distribution of election forms, paraphernalia, and supplies shall be carried out not earlier than three days from the day of the Election.