The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 6 (Western Visayas) reminded candidates to respect the solemnity of the Holy Week and refrain from engaging in any form of campaigning.

Comelec Regional Election Director, lawyer Dennis Ausan, in a media interview, expressed hope that the spirit of Lent could also help voters discern and come up with an informed decision on Election Day.

“Reminders: It is prohibited to campaign on Holy Thursday and Good Friday in whatever form. It will be an election offense for prohibited campaigning.”

“That will be on April 17 and 18,” he said.

The ban covers campaigning in print, broadcast, social media, house-to-house, verbal, or anything that will promote their candidacy or defeat their rivals.

Even actions intended to discredit opponents are included in the prohibition.

Any citizen may file a complaint if violations occur.

He clarified, however, that the Comelec cannot file complaints.

“They can file it before the police and it will be facilitated to be filed before the Regional Trial Court, or they can file it with any offices of the Commission — both the electoral and the criminal aspect of the act. If criminal, it will go directly to the Regional Trial Court, or if electoral, it can be made the basis for a disqualification case,” he added. (PNA)