Comelec Resets Special SK Polls to April 25

(Cebu City PIO) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has re-scheduled the Special Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from February 21, 2015 to April 25 this year.

Cebu City PIO, in its facebook site, quoted Cebu City North District Election Officer Atty. Marchel Sarno as saying that in the latest meeting with Comelec, the special SK election is moved on April 25, 2015.

The Comelec on Thursday has approved Resolution No. 9930 re-scheduling the Special SK election. The new resolution further stated that the election period will be from March 26 to May 10 this year.

During the election period, gun ban and the appointments or movements of government personnel among other provisions will be in effect. A manual voting process will be observed on the special SK election day.

The new resolution further stipulated the calendar of activities such as the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) on April 11, 13, and 14, the campaign period will be from April 15 to 23, and the submission of statements of election contributions and expenses (SOCE) from April 26 to May 25.

Prior to this latest development, the special SK polls were set on February 21, this year but both the Senate and the Congress passed its postponement to the last Monday of October next year mounting the calls for reforms in the youth sector’s representation in the government.

To date, President Benigno Aquino III has yet to sign the proposed measures prompting the Comelec to reset the special SK election to give an ample time for its preparations.

Looking back, various youth organizations in Cebu have banded together and called for reforms in the youth sector’s representation in the government. Cebuano Youth Leaders also signed a manifesto calling for the immediate passage of SK Reform Law which they passed to Cebuano members of the House of Representatives. They urged lawmakers to expedite the approval of SK Reform Bill.

Furthermore, some of the proposed reforms included the adjustment in the age bracket of SK officials from the current 15-17 years old to 18-24 years old, the anti political dynasty, and the mandatory leadership training for the SK Officials to be efficient and effective in their positions. (Cebu City Public Information Office)