Comelec 100% ready, no more reason to postpone BSK polls

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — There is no more reason to postpone the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as preparations are all on track, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

“The law is there and Congress had said before that this would be the last postponement,” Comelec chairman George Garcia told CNN Philippines’ The Source, referring to the law that moved the village-level polls from December 2022 to October 2023.

“Comelec is 100% prepared already for the conduct of the Barangay and SK Elections, so I think there is no more need to postpone, there is no more reason to postpone in view of our preparation and likewise our people are now ready to vote… ito na po iyon, matutuloy na po tayo ngayong (this is it, we will push through this) October 30,” he added.

Garcia said the procurement of election paraphernalia is complete, and 50% of the 91 million ballots needed were printed. Printing and verification of ballots will be completed by second week of February, he noted.

So far, around 1.028 million Filipinos have registered during the ongoing registration that will end on Jan. 31. Garcia said the poll body expects 1.5 million to 2 million additional voters for the upcoming polls.

Garcia reiterated Comelec’s call for Filipinos to register as early as possible since an extension is already unlikely.

He reminded the public that the poll body currently has the “Register Anywhere” program. Through this, voters can register in any Comelec or designated government office where this service is being offered even if its location is not where they will be casting their vote on election day.