Preparations for 2022 barangay, SK elections 70% percent done — Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it is now 70 percent done with its preparations for the 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

This was stated by Comelec Chairman George Garcia during a televised interview over TeleRadyo, where he explained that the Comelec is “in full swing” with its preparations despite proposals to postpone the BSKE elections for the second time since May 2018.

“Masasabi po na 70 percent na po kami, actually po lahat po ng directors and technical staff namin papunta sa Baguio sapagkat doon po namin papaplantiyahin ang guidelines, rules and regulations,” said Garcia.

(It can be said that we are 70 percent [ready]. Actually, all of our directors and technical staff are going to Baguio because that is where we will iron out the guidelines, rules and regulations.)

Garcia said the Comelec is also already set to conduct its consultations with field personnel to promulgate the guidelines on the BSKE elections.

“So ganun po in full swing ang aming preparations (Our preparations are in full swing),” he said.

Apart from this, Garcia also bared that it is “all systems go” in procurement offices to ensure that ballots will be printed as soon as possible.

“Sabi nga namin hindi na bali magprint ng balota kahit ay nakalagay na date na 2022, dahil pwede naman namin gamitin pa rin ‘yan kung sakaling mapostpone ang SK elections,” said Garcia.

(It is okay to print ballots with the date as 2022 because we can still use it even if the SK elections are postponed.)

Garcia then reiterated that the postponement of the BSKE elections is not yet final as the Senate and the House of Representatives need to reach a consensus first.

The Senate Committee on Electoral Reform is set to hold another hearing on Tuesday regarding the postponement of the BSKE elections, with Garcia scheduled to present the Comelec’s position on the proposals, including the estimated cost and the extent of its preparations so far.

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