Comelec suspends congressional polls in South Cotabato, Southern Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the elections for district representatives of South Cotabato and Southern Leyte, which was initially scheduled for Oct. 26

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the polling body decided to suspend the elections in view of the Supreme Court resolution ordering Comelec to proclaim Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles as representative of South Cotabato 1st District, including General Santos City.

The SC likewise ordered the convening of a special provincial board of canvassers to proclaim the winning candidate.

The Comelec initially scheduled the special elections following the enactment of a law which calls for the reapportioning of the first legislative district of South Cotabato to create the lone district of General Santos City.

The poll body also decided to suspend the elections for the representatives in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte, Cotabato as the SC resolution in the Bañas-Nograles case could be applied in other similar cases.

Last February, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law dividing Southern Leyte into two legislative districts.

READ: Duterte signs law dividing Southern Leyte into 2 legislative districts

Should there be no decision from the High Court in the case of Southern Leyte, the elections will push through on Nov. 30.

“[This is] to avoid any prolonged vacuum in the Office of Representatives for the first and second districts,” Jimenez said in a statement.

He added that all activities including bidding and procurements and implementation of all Comelec resolutions in relation to the Oct. 26 elections have been suspended./ac