COMELEC welcomes signing of law postponing October 31 elections

The Commission on Elections welcomes President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing into law the bill postponing this year’s October 31st elections to next year. Backed by a signed law, the Commission can now formally begin preparations for the October 23, 2017Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

With only twelve days left before October 31, Comelec officials have been cautioned against possibly violating R.A. 9340 in case the President fails to sign the enrolled bill that was transmitted to Malacañang in October 3.

“We were confident that the President would sign the bill before October 31, which is what happened,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said.

The Comelec is set to conduct another round of voter registration this November as required by R.A. 8189 or the Voters’ Registration Act of 1996. An additional 2 million voters for the SK election and 3 million for the Barangay election is expected.

“After the promulgation of the law, we should be able to release an official Resolution on the resumption of registration,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez added.

The funds intended for the 2016 Barangay and SK elections are largely intact and will be used in 2017, as provided for in the law. And the 411,000 ballots already printed may be reused by amending the dates already printed on the ballots.