The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the holding of a special election in the 7th District of Cavite will not significantly impact their preparations for the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang polls.
"BSKE preparations are already underway and this will not significantly impact our timelines,"
Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a statement Thursday, July 28.
Should the special polls proceed accordingly, he said, key preparations will necessarily involve the following and must be given due consideration: budget, procurement, and trainings.
"Given that the Commission’s budget is limited to the NLE and BSKE respectively, we will be checking for appropriate sources of funds, and if there is none or the same will be insufficient, we will be requesting for the appropriate funding or supplement for the conduct of this special elections, the grant of which shall pave the way for the various procurement activities and trainings," said Laudiangco.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring a vacancy in the 7th District of Cavite which was left vacant when Jesus Crispin Remulla assumed as Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Meanwhile, the poll official explained the process for the holding of special polls.
"The Certification issued by the HoR is the first step for the Commission to take into consideration the subject vacancy," said Laudiangco.
After due consideration, he said, necessarily appropriations on budget will be required or requested, corollary to the setting of the calendar of activities, particularly the special election period and special election day.
"These will then be proceeded with varying procurement activities for special ballots and accountable and non-accountable forms, other supplies (including anti-Covid 19 supplies) and the corresponding trainings of the Special Electoral Boards and Special Provincial Board of Canvassers," Laudiangco said.
"The Commission en banc, through the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall be accordingly coordinating with the HoR," he added.