Comelec releases calendar for 2022 polls; COC filing set on Oct. 1 to 8

Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released its calendar of activities ahead of the next national and local elections scheduled on May 9, 2022.

In Comelec Resolution No. 10695 promulgated on Wednesday, but was only released on the commission’s official website on Saturday, the period of the filing of the certification of candidacies will be on Oct. 1 to 8, 2021, including Saturdays and Sunday.

Meanwhile, the election period commences on Jan. 9 until June 8 of 2022. During this period, the gun ban is in effect, meaning that “bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by Comelec, is prohibited.”

The campaign period in national positions (president, vice president, senator and party-list groups) will be from Feb. 8, 2022 to May 7, 2022. Meanwhile, the campaign period for local positions (House of Representatives member, regional, provincial, city and municipal officers) will begin on March 25, 2022 until May 7, 2022.

The Comelec added that campaigning is prohibited on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, on April 14 and April 15, 2022, respectively.

From April 10, 2022 to May 9, 2022, overseas voters may cast their votes in Philippine embassies, consulates, and other posts “pursuant to the overseas absentee voting system,” Comelec said in a statement.

“Campaigning abroad, however, is prohibited during this period,” the Comelec added.

Local absentee voters have three days to cast their votes, which is from April 27 to 29, 2022. The last day to file an application as a local absentee voter is on March 7, 2022.

And liquor ban will take effect beginning May 8, 2022 until May 9, 2022. This means that selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, or taking intoxicating liquor is prohibited, the Comelec said.

“Campaigning is prohibited on the eve of election day until election day itself, in addition to the following prohibited acts: giving or accepting free transportation, food or drinks or things of value; soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against a candidate or any political party in the polling place or within 30 meters thereof; opening of booths or stalls for the sale of merchandise or refreshments within a 30-meter radius from the polling place; and holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or any other similar sports,” the Comelec added.

The full calendar of activities may be viewed here:

JPV