Comelec Suspends All Preparations for 2016 Barangay and SK Polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has stopped all activities pertaining to the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

In Comelec Resolution No. 10164, the Commission en banc suspended the preparations including the conduct of public biddings and procurements for election paraphernalia.

“Now, Therefore, under the circumstances, the Commission on Elections in the exercise of prudence, has resolved, as it hereby resolves, to suspend, effective September 9, 2016, all activities including biddings and procurements, in connection with the October 31, 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” part of the Resolution said.

Earlier, the poll body was able to print 411,000 ballots until Aug. 26 before finally stopping the printing due to clear indications of election postponement.

The ballots are intended for Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

With this, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said that the Comelec was preparing for the reopening of voters’ registration, which is set to start next month.

“We are now preparing for the Barangay and SK elections in 2017. Our field offices are gearing up for the resumption of the voters’ registration in October,” he said in a statement.

Last week, the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed on final reading their respective versions of the bill postponing the October 31st elections to October 2017.

Jimenez added that they were just waiting for Congress to pass a law that officially moving the village and youth polls to October next year.

“We are only waiting for the law on the postponement to be signed. The Commission is ready to register an estimated additional 5 million voters starting October,” he said. (PNA) RMA/FGP/EDS