Congress urged to study plan to postpone SK, barangay polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) asked Congress yesterday to go slow on its plan to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled on Oct. 25.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the long lines to the Comelec’s registration booths are a strong indication that the people want the barangay and SK elections to proceed as scheduled.

The Comelec started last Aug. 4 the 10-day registration period for voters in the barangay elections. 

Those qualified to vote in the SK polls, on the other hand, could register from Aug. 6 to 15.

Jimenez said Metro Manila had the biggest turnout during the first day of registration.

He said the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded the biggest turnout with 5,028 voters on the first day of the registration period.

“We urge members of Congress to visit Comelec registration centers in their respective districts so that they can have a feel of what their constituents really want regarding the upcoming polls,” he added.

The Liga ng mga Barangay had filed a petition before the House of Representatives to seek the rescheduling of the barangay and SK polls.

The group cited the proximity of the upcoming election to the May 10 presidential polls.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri had also sought a postponement of the elections, insisting that the three-year term of office of barangay and SK officials is not enough for them to implement their projects.