Bacolod City – As the campaign period for synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election is set to kick off October 19, the Commission on Elections served 18 more show cause orders (SCOs) to candidates in Negros Occidental.
This brings to 125 the total SCOs served to BSKE 2023 candidates in the province, for alleged premature campaigning, as of Oct. 12, according to Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria.
Ananoria disclosed that they also issued summons to five candidates for vote buying.
The Comelec has also activated Kontra Bigay committee in different towns and cities of Negros Occidental, which will receive complaints of vote buying.
Ananoria said complainants should submit notarized affidavits, with evidence.
EB Magalona retains the top spot in terms of having the most SCOs issued by Comelec at 56, records showed.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with representatives of Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Ananoria yesterday said that Comelec, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, were assured of continuous power before, during, and after the Oct. 30 elections.
He added that election returns, official ballots, and other election related documents are scheduled to arrive this week for distribution.
Ananoria also said that the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center will have a final meeting on Oct. 19 in Negros Occidental, to discuss their security preparations and validation of election areas of concerns, which as of this time, remains at 51. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
