The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental is 90 percent ready for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections on October 30.

This, according to Provincial Election Supervisor lawyer Ian Lee Ananoria during a PIA Kapihan-Press Conference held in Bacolod City.

“As of August 1, Comelec has shipped out all election accountable forms.  The provincial treasurer’s office will be receiving these forms in two to three weeks’ time. Ballot box inventory is already done and has been sent to them all. In fact, there are more than enough ballot boxes here in Negros Occidental. We are about 90 percent ready,” Ananoria assured.

Negros Occidental, which has a total of 662 barangays, as per Comelec records, has 5,704 clustered precincts for regular voters 18 years old and above for its 2,014,725 total registered voters; while there are 12,487 established precincts for SK Voters aged 15 to 30 years and total registered SK voters of 660,709.

“There is a different clustering for barangay elections than for the national elections. Before it was dependent on the number of machines, now on the number of barangays,” Ananoria added.

Admittedly, Comelec’s major challenge is the logistics — transporting election paraphernalia, transportation, and security of the electoral board, especially in far-flung barangays.

The gun ban will take effect starting August 28 until November 29, which is also the last day to file Statements of Contributions and Expenditures for those who ran during the elections.

The Comelec will start accommodating the filing of the certificate of candidacy from August 28 to September 2.

On the eve of election day on October 29, campaigning will no longer be allowed as well as giving, and accepting free transportation, food, drinks, and things of value; selling, furnishing, buying, serving, or taking intoxicating liquor are also not allowed. (PIA-6 Negros Occidental)