By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental said yesterday the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in the province was peaceful.

Elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria hopes that the present calm atmosphere during the six-day COC filing period will continue until election day.

The local Comelec offices across the province reported that some individuals withdrew their COCs.

Several forms were not accepted because some political aspirants were overaged or were not registered voters.

The filing of COCs wrapped up last Saturday, September 2.

Data released by the Comelec showed a total of 29,640 candidates will be vying for various positions in the upcoming barangay and SK elections.

A total of 1,611 individuals are vying for the position of punong barangay in 662 villages across the province, while 15,612 are running for barangay kagawad.

For youth polls, 1,882 individuals are running for SK chairperson, while 10,535 are vying for the position of SK kagawad.

The official campaign period for the barangay and SK elections is from October 19 to 28.

Election day will be on October 30.

Candidates must file their Statement of Contribution and Expenditures by November 29./DGB, WDJ