‘Preparations for Marawi barangay, SK polls 95% complete’

MANILA, Philippines — With less than two weeks left before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Marawi, preparations are almost  complete, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“We are 95 percent prepared,” Teopisto Elnas, Comelec project director for Marawi elections, said.

The printing of 76,384 ballots – 50,893 for the barangay and 25,491 for SK polls – started yesterday.

Elnas gave assurance that the Comelec is closely working with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure a smooth and orderly conduct of the elections. 

“We have not received any intelligence reports on threats... We will still beef up our security to the point of saturating every voting center,” Elnas said.

He said local electric cooperatives assured the poll body that there would be no power outage prior, during and after election day.

Elnas said at least 100 police officers have been trained to act as Board of Election Tellers in case teachers refuse to perform election duties.  

At least 234 individuals have filed certificates of candidacy for barangay captain, 862 are running for kagawad, 162 for SK chairman and 193 for SK council in 96 barangays.  

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said registered voters in “ground zero” would have to vote in other barangays.

He said the polling precincts of 15,906 voters in 27 barangays have been transfered to five alternative voting centers.