Marawi City barangays to elect their village and youth leaders tomorrow

Voters in war-torn Marawi City will finally get to elect their village and youth leaders tomorrow, September 22.

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls will be held in Marawi City nearly five months after the holding of the nationwide village and youth polls in May.

The Commission on Elections earlier deferred the village and youth polls in Marawi City owing to prevailing conditions there following the conduct of three public consultations in Mindanao whether or not to postpone said polls in the entirety of the region.

Despite the poll postponement and the destruction caused by the hostilities last year, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez believes this will not discourage voters from voting.

“I don’t think it will dampen their enthusiasm… our belief is that we will have a healthy voter turnout,” he said.

“In the south, it has always been a high voter turnout. They are politically active and very motivated to vote,” added Jimenez.

The Comelec said casting of votes in the different voting centers is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

But if at 3 pm, there are still voters within 30 meters in front of the polling place, who have not yet cast their votes, voting shall continue but only to allow said voters to cast their votes as long their names have been listed by the Poll Clerk.

Voters will vote for one barangay chairman, seven barangay kagawad, one SK chairman, and seven SK kagawad.

According to Comelec, there were a total of 234, who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for barangay chairman; while another 862 filed COC for barangay kagawad.

There were also 162 COC filed for SK chairman, and 193 COC filed for SK Kagawad.

Counting and canvassing of votes, as well as the proclamation of winning candidates, shall immediately be done after the closing of polls.

Prohibited acts on Election Day include campaigning, selling, buying, offering, or taking intoxicating liquor; and opening of booths or stalls for the sale of merchandise or refreshments within 30 meters of the polling places.

Also prohibited are giving or accepting free transportation, food, or anything of value; and holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, or horse races.

Violators of the prohibited acts could be held liable for committing an election offense, which is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from public office.

There are a total of 50,893 registered voters for the barangay elections.

On the other hand, a total of 25,491 SK voters are eligible to cast their votes.

Source of news: Manila Bulletin. Photo credit: Philippine Star