By JEN BAYLON
The Commission on Elections in Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) has not yet identified any election hotspots in Negros Occidental ahead of the May 2025 national and local elections.
Comelec-NIR Director Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said discussions regarding identifying potential election hotspots in the province will take place during the meeting of city and municipal joint security coordinating councils.
Castillano said, for now, the security situation for the upcoming elections in Negros Occidental remains peaceful.
There could be political rivalries among candidates in some local government units, he added.
The Comelec NIR director said that they are using a color-coding scheme to classify areas based on their security situation for the upcoming elections, such as green, which indicates no political issues; yellow signifies areas with a history of political rivalry; orange denotes the presence of armed groups; and red indicates critical areas.
Castillano emphasized ongoing communication with local law enforcement, including the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO).
Efforts are ongoing to clarify watch list areas as the elections approach, he added.
Meanwhile, Comelec-NIR is also drafting contingency plans to address any delays in the election process should Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption occur.
Joint conference
Meanwhile, the NOCPPO discussed Comelec resolutions on Wednesday, November 13, aiming to enhance police understanding and coordination for the upcoming elections.
During their first Provincial Task Group Meeting at Camp Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. in Bacolod City, NOCPPO director Colonel Rainerio de Chavez highlighted ongoing efforts to monitor election watch list areas across the province, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance.
The discussion also focused on critical issues during elections, such as the extension of the gun ban, election-related activities, and the deputization of police forces to ensure a secure electoral environment.
The meeting was attended by Castillano, provincial election supervisors, and several key officials.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to maintain peace and order during the electoral process, particularly in areas identified as having potential security concerns./JB, WDJ