Comelec suspends all preparations and activities for October polls

Following President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s approval on October 2, 2017 of Republic Act No. 10952 (see digital copy below) postponing the October 23, 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, COMELEC Chairman J. Andres D. Bautista has ordered the suspension of all activities in relation the said electoral exercise. The COMELEC Chairman issued today, October 4, 2017, a Memorandum addressed to all COMELEC Department Heads and all Regional Election Directors in Luzon and Visayas ordering the said suspension and ensuring that the same is immediately and properly disseminated to all concerned.
For his part, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body “welcomes the news that the President has just signed the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.” “Adjustments will be made to the COMELEC’s current preparations, taking the new date of elections into consideration, and continuing on-going activities for the 2019 exercise. Work goes on for us,” he said. #

Reference:

James Arthur B. Jimenez Director IV, Education and Information Department Commission on Elections Tel. No. (+632) 525-9294 October 4, 2017

COMELEC TO RESUME VOTERS’ REGISTRATION ON NOVEMBER 7

The Commission on Elections is now gearing up for the continuation of the voters’ registration period on November 7. Section 8 of The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides for the system of continuing registration of voters. According to the law, the personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during regular office hours. No registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety (90) days before a special election.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10166 promulgated on October 25, 2016, the Comelec will conduct the registration period for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from November 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017 including Saturdays and Holidays except on December 24 and 25, 2016 and April 13 and 14, 2017. 

“We will have a longer registration period to ensure wider voters’ participation. We are expecting more than 55 million voters for next year’s elections, with the inclusion of SK voters aged 15-17 years old,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.

According to the estimate of the Comelec, there will be over 1 million more voters for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections than the 2016 presidential elections. Around 54 million voters registered for the May 2016 National and Local elections. 3,095,187 registered for the Barangay and SK elections. 

“We can now formally begin our preparations for the 2017 elections now that the bill on the postponement of the 2016 elections has been signed into law,” Jimenez added. 

The law on the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was approved by President Duterte on October 15, 2016. ### 

REFERENCE:

James Arthur B. Jimenez

Director IV, Education and Information Department 

Commission on Elections

Tel. No. (+632) 525-9294

25 October 2016

See details of Comelec Resolution No. 10166 below:

COMELEC TO RESUME VOTERS’ REGISTRATION ON NOVEMBER 7

The Commission on Elections is now gearing up for the continuation of the voters’ registration period on November 7. Section 8 of The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides for the system of continuing registration of voters. According to the law, the personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during regular office hours. No registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety (90) days before a special election.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10166 promulgated on October 25, 2016, the Comelec will conduct the registration period for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from November 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017 including Saturdays and Holidays except on December 24 and 25, 2016 and April 13 and 14, 2017. 

“We will have a longer registration period to ensure wider voters’ participation. We are expecting more than 55 million voters for next year’s elections, with the inclusion of SK voters aged 15-17 years old,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.

According to the estimate of the Comelec, there will be over 1 million more voters for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections than the 2016 presidential elections. Around 54 million voters registered for the May 2016 National and Local elections. 3,095,187 registered for the Barangay and SK elections. 

“We can now formally begin our preparations for the 2017 elections now that the bill on the postponement of the 2016 elections has been signed into law,” Jimenez added. 

The law on the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was approved by President Duterte on October 15, 2016. ### 

REFERENCE:

James Arthur B. Jimenez

Director IV, Education and Information Department 

Commission on Elections

Tel. No. (+632) 525-9294

25 October 2016

See details of Comelec Resolution No. 10166 below:

COMELEC: HANGGANG JULY 30 LANG ANG PAGPAPATALA SA HALALANG PAMBARANGAY AT SK

Umaapila ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) sa mga kababayang hindi pa nakapagpaparehistro para sa darating na halalang pambarangay at sangguniang kabataan (SK) na magpatala na habang may panahon pa.

Sa pinakahuling nilang paalala, iginiit ng Comelec na hindi na palalawigin pa ang mga araw na inilaan para sa pagpapatala ng mga botante.

Ang huling araw ng pagpaparehistro ng botante ay sa Ika-30 ng Hulyo.

Umabot palang sa 1,181,139  ang bilang ng mga nagpa-rehistro mula ika-15 hanggang 23 Hulyo batay sa pinakahuling datos ng Comelec.

Ang Barangay and SK Elections ay idaraos sa ika-31 ng Oktubre, 2016.

Ayon kay Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, anomang pagpapalawig ng palugit sa ngayon ay makakaapekto sa kanilang paghahanda sa Project of Precincts o POPs.

Ang POPs ay naglalaman ng datos hinggil sa bilang ng mga presinto, ng mga botante at ng kanilang voting centers.  #

27 Hulyo 2016

  

COMELEC: NO EXTENSION OF REGISTRATION FOR BARANGAY AND SK POLLS

The Commission on Elections will not extend the July 30 deadline of the voter’s registration period for the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Chairman Andres Bautista said that an extension will impact their preparations for the Project of Precincts (POPs) which contain data on the number of established precincts, respective number of registered voters, and their voting centers. 

He advised the public not to wait for the last minute to register.

There were 1,181,139 applicants who registered from July 15 to 23 based on latest COMELEC data. 

The Barangay and SK Elections will be held on October 31, 2016. #

FOR THE OFFICE OF DIR. JAMES JIMENEZ

Very truly yours,

Liezel G. Macasu

EID COMELEC

525 9294

27 July 2016

COMELEC: HANGGANG JULY 30 LANG ANG PAGPAPATALA SA HALALANG PAMBARANGAY AT SK

Umaapila ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) sa mga kababayang hindi pa nakapagpaparehistro para sa darating na halalang pambarangay at sangguniang kabataan (SK) na magpatala na habang may panahon pa.

Sa pinakahuling nilang paalala, iginiit ng Comelec na hindi na palalawigin pa ang mga araw na inilaan para sa pagpapatala ng mga botante.

Ang huling araw ng pagpaparehistro ng botante ay sa Ika-30 ng Hulyo.

Umabot palang sa 1,181,139  ang bilang ng mga nagpa-rehistro mula ika-15 hanggang 23 Hulyo batay sa pinakahuling datos ng Comelec.

Ang Barangay and SK Elections ay idaraos sa ika-31 ng Oktubre, 2016.

Ayon kay Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, anomang pagpapalawig ng palugit sa ngayon ay makakaapekto sa kanilang paghahanda sa Project of Precincts o POPs.

Ang POPs ay naglalaman ng datos hinggil sa bilang ng mga presinto, ng mga botante at ng kanilang voting centers.  #

27 Hulyo 2016

  

COMELEC: NO EXTENSION OF REGISTRATION FOR BARANGAY AND SK POLLS

The Commission on Elections will not extend the July 30 deadline of the voter’s registration period for the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Chairman Andres Bautista said that an extension will impact their preparations for the Project of Precincts (POPs) which contain data on the number of established precincts, respective number of registered voters, and their voting centers. He advised the public not to wait for the last minute to register.

There were 1,181,139 applicants who registered from July 15 to 23 based on latest COMELEC data. 

The Barangay and SK Elections will be held on October 31, 2016. #

FOR THE OFFICE OF DIR. JAMES JIMENEZ

Very truly yours,

Liezel G. Macasu

EID COMELEC

525 9294

27 July 2016

Funtime before elections

A parade princess gets her power drink while riding  her royal cart in Boac, Marinduque Sunday afternoon. Santacruzans are held every May in most places of the country like Boac which has a population of 52,982 but with only 29,559 registered voters. 

8 May 2016

COMELEC Press Release: Media accreditation for the 3rd and last Presidential Debates now open

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced today that members of the national and local media may apply for accreditation to cover the Luzon round of the #PiliPinas Presidential Debates beginning April 11, 2016 until April 15, 2016. 

The third and the last of the series of COMELEC-led Presidential debates will be held on April 24, 2016 at Dagupan City in Pangasinan.

COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez said media accreditation may be granted to members of the press who represent a bona fide media organization, subject to the following requirements:

• a fully accomplished Accreditation Application Form;
• two (2) recently taken 2” x 2” colored photograph;
• an endorsement from the Publisher, Editor-In-Chief, Assignment Editor, Station Manager or similar office of the newspaper, television, radio, or online publication employing the applicant;
• an endorsement from the appropriate officer of the broadcast organization of film distributor which has committed to air or distribute the work;
• and in the case of freelancers, a valid assignment letter from the bona fide media organization.

Bloggers and online publications may also be granted accreditation.

Media Accreditation Application Forms are available at the COMELEC Education and Information Department, said Jimenez.

The forms may also be downloaded from http://facebook.com/comelec.ph , he said.

Applications for accreditation may be personally filed at the COMELEC Education and Information Department at the COMELEC’s Main Office in Intramuros, Manila in the case of national and foreign media, and at the Office of the COMELEC Pangasinan Provincial Election Supervisor, in the case of the local media.

According to Jimenez, the accredited national and local media will be issued stickers as proof of their accreditation. ###

Ref: James Arthur B. Jimenez

            Director IV, Education and Information Department

            Commission on Elections

            Tel. No. (+632) 525-9294

Date:   April 11, 2016

PRESS RELEASE: COMELEC to hold public consultation on the draft implementing rules of Fair Elections Act

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced Thursday that it will be conducting a public hearing and consultation on the draft Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9006 otherwise known as the ‘Fair Elections Act’ in connection with the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections and subsequent Elections.

The said public hearing and consultation shall be conducted on Monday, January 11, 2016, 2:00 PM at the Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros Manila.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said that among the proposed amendments included in the draft IRR include the requirement for candidates to indicate in their campaign materials the phrase, “This material should be recycled”. “This amendment was inserted to emphasize the Commission’s commitment to conducting ecologically friendly elections,” said Jimenez.

Also included among the significant amendments to the draft IRR, according to Jimenez, is the removal of aggregate time limits to broadcast election propaganda, pursuant to the Supreme Court’s ruling in GMA Network Inc. et al v. COMELEC.

The COMELEC spokesman averred that apart from representatives from the media and political parties who were invited to attend the public hearing and consultation, the general public is also 

welcome to take part in the event.

For additional information, interested parties may contact the COMELEC Education and Information Department at telephone numbers 525-9294, 525-9345 or 525-9301. ###

Reference:

James Arthur B. Jimenez

Director IV, Education and Information Department

Commission on Elections

Tel. No. (+632) 525-9294

Date: January 8, 2016

COMELEC: Source code review applications extended until September 30

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced today that parties or groups interested in conducting local source code review in connection with the automated election system for the May 9, 2016 national and local elections may file their written requests to participate not later than September 30, 2015.

Interested parties or groups, according to the COMELEC, must file a written request before the Commission’s Steering Committee signifying its intent to participate in the local source code review. The written request shall be filed during regular office hours at the Office of Commissioner Christian Robert S. Lim, Chairperson, Steering Committee, Commission on Elections.

The COMELEC said parties or groups interested in the local source code review must belong to any of the following: political parties or coalition of parties duly registered by the Commission or legitimate organizations or groups duly accredited by the Commission, which include duly accredited citizens’ arms; two (2) Information Technology (IT) groups recommended by the COMELEC Advisory Council which are known for their expertise, integrity and independence in the IT community; or Host educational institution.

In COMELEC Resolution No. 9987, promulgated 14 September 2015, the COMELEC said the conduct of a local source code review “seeks to provide interested parties and groups an opportunity to inspect the source codes in the Automated Elections System.”

Covered in the review include the source codes of the Vote Counting Machine (VCM), the Consolidated Canvassing System (CCS) and the Election Management System (EMS).

“The source code review shall involve two phases. The first phase covers the review of the baseline source codes. The second phase covers the review of the source codes after the systems have been customized and configured according to the preference and needs of the Commission,” the Resolution furthered.

Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9369 directs that “once an Automated Election System Technology is selected for implementation, the Commission shall promptly make the source code available and open to any interested party or group which may conduct their own review thereof. The conduct of the sufficient source code review by any interested party will enhance public acceptance of and build public confidence in the Automated Election System. ### 

Reference:

James Arthur B. Jimenez

Director IV, Education and Information Department

Commission on Elections

Tel. No. (+632) 525-9294

Date: September 23, 2015