By JEN BAYLON

A party-list group in Negros Occidental for the 2025 midterm elections is among the 34 entities nationwide that have received notices of violation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over illegal campaign materials.

The party-list was issued notices for displaying campaign materials outside designated common poster areas, using incorrect sizes, or employing non-environmentally friendly materials.

Ian Lee Ananoria, Negros Occidental provincial election supervisor, said the matter was a result of their “Operation Baklas” initiative conducted by election officers.

During the operation, violations were documented with photographic evidence before the notices of violation were sent via email, Ananoria said.

He declined to provide further details but confirmed that election officers in the province submitted reports to the Comelec national office, which subsequently issued the notices of violation.

The concerned party-lists have been given three days to respond to the notices through the Comelec Law Department.

They are also required to remove their illegal campaign materials.

Ananoria said failure to comply could lead to the filing of charges, potentially resulting in disqualification from participating in the May 12 midterm elections.

The Comelec has conducted Oplan Baklas once a week since the start of the campaign period on February 11, to get rid of illegal campaign materials throughout the election period.

Oplan Baklas targets campaign posters placed on electric posts and trees on government-owned facilities along the national highways or outside the common poster areas.

However, materials on private properties are exempt from removal.

The poll body also appealed to candidates not to place their campaign posters on trees, as they are considered “environmentally unsound” or not good for the environment./JB, WDJ