Comelec releases calendar of activities for Bangsamoro polls

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday released the calendar of activities, including the election and campaign periods, for the first ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) set on Oct. 13.

Based on Resolution No. 11132, the poll body has set the election period from Aug. 14 to Oct. 28.

During the election period, the carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons, use of security personnel and bodyguards, suspension of elective officials, and transfer of civil servants are prohibited.

Meanwhile, official campaign period for the BPE will run from Aug. 28 to Oct. 11.

During the campaign period, candidates and their relatives are prohibited from giving donations, disbursing public funds, constructing public works, and promoting or giving salary increases to public personnel.

Campaigning and the selling, buying, or serving of intoxicating liquors are not allowed on the eve of election day.

On election day, the counting and canvassing of votes will immediately come after the closing of voting precincts.

The calendar of activities was released even as the Comelec is still waiting for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to come up with a decision regarding the seven parliamentary seats originally allocated for Sulu, which was excluded from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by the Supreme Court.

The BTA has until the middle of June to inform the poll body of its decision on the Sulu seats. (PNA)