Barangay, SK polls in Marawi set on September 22

MANILA, Philippines — The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Marawi will be held on Sept. 22.

The poll body decided to push through with the elections  after the area was found “stable,” James Jimenez, spokesman for the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said yesterday.

Based on the calendar of activities, the election period is from Aug. 17 to Sept. 29, during which a gun ban will be implemented.

The campaign period is from Sept. 12 to 20 while the deadline for filing statements of contributions and expenditures is on Oct. 22.

Comelec data shows there are 675,730 registered voters in Marawi, of which 227,686 can participate in the SK and 448,044 in the barangay elections.

The Comelec suspended the barangay and SK elections in Marawi on May 14 amid rehabilitation works following months of fighting between government troopers and Maute militants last year.

Most of the schools used during elections were either destroyed or were still in disarray.

Many displaced residents also have yet to return to their homes.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, the Comelec may postpone elections in a particular area, after due notice and hearing, due to violence, terrorism and destruction of election paraphernalia, among others.