By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson offered advice to candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, as the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) begins today.

Lacson said election candidates should demonstrate their commitment to their respective villages, and they must also show true service to their community.

He hopes that there will be no incidents of vote buying in the province, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clamps down on the illegal practice.

Earlier, Comelec-Negros Occidental elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said their office is fully prepared for the filing of COCs, which will run until Saturday, September 2.

After the filing period, the Comelec will carefully evaluate each candidate and identify possible political rivalries to prevent possible election-related violence.

The campaign period will be from October 19 to 28, while election day will be on October 30.

Candidates must also file their Statement of Contribution and Expenditures by November 29.

Negros Occidental has a total of 12,674 established precincts and 5,704 clustered precincts.

In capital Bacolod City, there are 340,098 registered voters in 2,220 established precincts and 908 clustered precincts.

At least 100,446 were registered voters in 2,176 established precincts for the SK polls.

Aside from Bacolod, Kabankalan City has the highest number of registered voters with 108,720 in 32 villages.

The city also has 623 established and 298 clustered precincts.

Kabankalan has the highest number of SK voters in the province with 34,791.

At the district level, the province’s 3rd district has the biggest number of registered voters at 322,161, while the smallest number of registered voters is in the 4th district with 251,051./DGB, WDJ