Comelec defers SK polls anew

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has again decided to move back the start of the election period for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls from April 10 to May 10.

The poll body had previously recommended that the SK elections be held on April 25.

The Comelec, through Resolution No. 9934, noted that “there is a necessity to adjust further the start of the election period in the Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts.”

The agency yesterday said the move was meant to “avoid a situation wherein the prohibition on certain acts is already effective, only to be nullified later on when House Bill No. 5209 becomes a law.”

Such prohibited acts include the implementation of a gun ban, prohibition of the use of security personnel or bodyguards by personnel and transfer of government workers including public school teachers.

The bill which seeks to postpone the SK polls to the last Monday of October 2016 is awaiting action by President Aquino.

The Comelec believes that if the bill is not signed by April 4, it will automatically lapse into law.

On Oct. 21, 2014, the Comelec had issued Resolution 9905, setting the conduct of SK elections on Feb. 21, 2015.

The poll body had moved the schedule again to April 25 by virtue of Resolution No. 9930, promulgated last Feb. 5.

The election period is supposed to start on March 26.