Comelec to hold public hearings on postponement of May 14 village, youth polls

Following the one-year extension of martial law, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be conducting public hearings on the postponement of the May 14, 2018 barangay and youth elections in Mindanao.

The poll body has set two dates for the public hearings: January 22 in Zamboanga City, and January 29 in Cotabato City.

“This is for the purpose of giving all interested parties equal opportunity to be heard, in light of the resolution to extend martial law in the region for one year,” said poll spokesperson James Jimenez.

Last December, Congress approved President Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year.

The Comelec en banc issued Minute Resolution No. 17-0743 setting the two dates for the public hearings.

These are January 22 on 700 Gov. Carmins Avenue, Zamboanga City, and January 29 at the Alnor Hotel and Convention Center, Alnor Commercial Center, Cotabato City.

Also notified of the public hearings were the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Youth Commission, Liga ng mga Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and accredited Citizens’ Arms.

The poll body pointed out that the Comelec may motu propio postpone elections in a particular location if the holding of free, orderly and honest elections is impossible due to violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, etc.

The Comelec added that it may also conduct a third public hearing in Cagayan de Oro City on the postponement of the barangay and youth polls later this year.