Comelec Resets SK Election Period from Feb. 6 to March 2

(PNA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to move the election period of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from Feb. 6 to March 2, or 15 days before Election Day and nine days after.

In an interview, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes explained that the decision to change the start of the election period is to give the senators time to decide if they will allow or postpone the holding of the youth polls.

“We expect within 15 days na magkakaroon ng action ang Senate and we will have time to disseminate the information,” he said.

The poll body chief added, “This is to give them time to discuss it further. We shortened the election period by 15 days. That should give the Senate enough time to discuss. Magkakaroon na ‘yan ng consensus within the next few days.”

Brillantes explained that the gun ban and other prohibitions related to the election period will start only on Feb. 6, but if the Senate decides to postpone the SK elections, thes ban will no longer apply.

With this, the Comelec en banc issued Resolution No. 9928 moving the start of the election period from Feb. 6 to March 2.

“Now therefore, the Commission on Elections resolved, as it hereby resolves, to amend Resolution No. 9905 entitled ‘In The Matter of Providing Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts and Adopting Pertinent Resolutions Promulgated for the 28 October 2013 Barangay Elections For Purposes of the 21 February 2015 Special Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections’ by providing that the Election Period shall be from February 6 to March 2, 2015 (15 days before Election Day and nine days after),” said the poll body.

Brillantes noted that postponing the SK polls would mean savings for the Comelec as they do not need to spend the budget of PhP900 million.

He added that they have already spent some PhP100 million for ballot papers, pens and others, which they can use even if the youth polls will push through or not.

“What we have done right now is minimized ‘yung aming gastos, kasi sayang e. Gumastos na kami ng about PhP100 million.”

The Comelec is supporting the calls to postpone the SK polls to October 2016, to be synchronized with the Barangay elections. (PNA) SCS/FGP/EDS