By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental warns political candidates who have already filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) that they are not allowed to campaign for now.

Comelec provincial supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said displaying streamers or banners bearing a candidate’s name and photo before the campaign period can be considered premature campaigning, which is an election offense.

The local poll body also monitors candidates’ social media posts, but Ananoria admitted that this is challenging due to the sheer number of candidates.

The official campaign period will be from October 19 to 28.

Complaints can be lodged with Comelec against such actions.

He added that political aspirants who have filed their COCs for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October are automatically considered candidates.

Meanwhile, Comelec-NegOcc revealed they are 90 to 95 percent ready for the upcoming elections.

The arrival of election paraphernalia and the scheduled training for election supervisors are the only remaining preparations.

Election areas of concern will be identified in the coming months, through collaborative meetings with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Comelec will continue the validation process for candidates and poll hotspots, especially with a history of electoral violence.

Comelec checkpoints have been conducted across the province since Monday, August 28, the start of the election period./DGB, WDJ