By JEN BAYLON
The first three days of the local campaign period in Negros Occidental commenced without any reported disruptions or violations, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office said yesterday.
Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said no notices of violation have been issued so far by his office or any municipal and city Comelec offices against any local candidate.
“We are waiting for the reports from the local election officers in the province,” he said.
Despite the peaceful start of the campaign period, he highlighted that some barangay halls, particularly in capital Bacolod City, were observed to have campaign materials attached to them.
Notices are expected to be issued to more than 20 barangay officials for allowing the posting of campaign paraphernalia on government properties, which is prohibited under election guidelines.
This coincided with the nationwide synchronized Oplan Baklas, conducted by Comelec, on Friday, March 28.
The operation focused on removing illegal campaign materials, including posters placed outside designated common poster areas, in public spaces, or those exceeding size limits.
The synchronized Oplan Baklas aims to ensure compliance with election laws and promote fair campaigning practices.
Candidates and their supporters are urged to adhere strictly to regulations, including using designated poster areas and avoiding prohibited spaces like barangay halls and utility poles.
As the local campaign period progresses, Comelec remains vigilant in monitoring violations while maintaining peace and order during this critical phase leading up to the May 12 midterm elections.
The 45-day campaign for local candidates started on Friday and will last until May 10.
Orderly
In Bacolod, the first days of the campaign period for local positions were also “peaceful and orderly,” city election officer Revo Sorbito said.
However, Sorbito said they will be issuing violation notices against barangay officials in the city for allowing the illegal posting of campaign materials in barangay halls and government facilities.
Barangay halls and other government facilities, such as covered gyms, are not included in the designated common poster areas.
Although the poll body now allows barangay officials to campaign for their chosen candidates, Sorbito said there are still limits based on the rules.
Comelec-Bacolod led the removal of illegal posters and tarpaulins during Oplan Baklas along Lacson Street and the road leading to Barangay Granada in Bacolod over the weekend.
As of Sunday, March 30, Sorbito said they have not yet finished counting the total number of illegal campaign materials they seized during the simultaneous crackdown on illegal campaign materials.
Earlier, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they want the candidates and their supporters to voluntarily remove their illegal campaign posters and tarpaulins.
Oplan Baklas targets campaign posters placed on electric posts and 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.
Under the Comelec Resolution No. 11086, or the Omnibus Election Code, poll aspirants are advised to use lawful election propaganda during the campaign period, such as:
* Printed materials like pamphlets and leaflets not exceeding 8.5 inches wide and 14 inches high
* Printed or handwritten letters and posters made from cloth, paper, cardboard, or any recyclable material not exceeding two feet by three feet
* Streamers not exceeding three feet by eight feet (must be shown five days before a rally in a certain place, and must be taken down 24 hours after)
* Paid printed advertisements and broadcast media under the requirements of Section 11 of Comelec Resolution No. 11086 and the Fair Elections Act
* Static light-emitting diode (LED) billboards owned by private entities or individuals, mobile or transit advertisements on public transportation under the condition that they follow the guidelines of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for commercial advertisements
* Signboards not exceeding three feet by eight feet posted in the candidates’ headquarters and other election propaganda not prohibited by the Omnibus Election Code
Also prohibited are propaganda materials that are not in designated common poster areas, such as plazas, markets, barangay centers, and other similar places.
The Comelec said it has dismantled more than 100,000 campaign materials of national candidates as part of the intensified crackdown against illegal campaign materials./JB, WDJ