The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has observed fewer illegal campaign materials in this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) after the launching of Oplan Baklas in Negros Occidental.

Provincial elections supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said yesterday that they submitted an inventory to the Comelec central office after each operation, which started on October 20.

“Compared to the previous elections, there are fewer violations now,” he told reporters.

He said during the initial operation, the Comelec personnel took down campaign materials placed outside the designated common poster areas, mounted on trees and waiting sheds, and called out candidates for not adhering to the prescribed sizes of campaign posters.

Another simultaneous Oplan Baklas operation is set on Friday, October 27.

Ananoria said the Comelec’s legal department would determine if the candidates with removed campaign materials would be charged for their violation.

“If it’s really illegal, the election officer will file the case,” he added.

The Comelec’s Oplan Baklas operations allow its personnel to take down oversized and illegally placed campaign materials.

Campaign materials become illegal when posted in restricted public areas and when bigger than prescribed by the Omnibus Election Code.

The 10-day campaign period for the BSKE started last October 19, and will run until October 28. (PNA)