Comelec puts on hold officers’ reshuffling

By Paulo DS. Papa

The reshuffling or reassignment of election officers in the Bicol region would not happen in November this year and instead it will push through early part of next year in view of the approval of the extension of voters registration from the original deadline of Sept. 30 to Oct. 31 this year.

The Commission on Elections (Comlec) en banc approved on Wednesday, Sept 29, the extension of voters registration due to the clamor of lawmakers and the public. To recall, many failed to register with the Comelec because of the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ in many areas in the country to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Comelec’s approval of voters registration came ahead of the enactment of Congress of several bills seeking to extend the registration of voters.

Lawyer Maico Julia, Naga City’s Comelec chief, said that his office will give priority to the filing of certificates of candidacy from Oct. 1-8. Registration of voters will resume on Oct. 11 until Oct. 31.

Julia is expected to be reassigned in Virac, Catanduanes, while lawyer Francis Nieves from Daet, Camarines Norte will take his post. In the provincial level, lawyer Noriel Badiola of Comelec Camarines Sur will be assigned in Masbate province. Lawyer Aurea Bo-Bonao of Comelec Albay will be assigned in Camarines Sur. Comelec Ilocos Region Director Atty. Noli Pipo will take the place of Comelec Bicol Regional Director Atty. Juana Valeza who will be assigned in Region 4A or Calabarzon.

The reshuffling of election officers is intended to prevent familiarities between election officers and candidates who will run for local posts. Familiarities may cause questionable electoral results, Julia said.

He disclosed that the election officers covered by the reshuffling will be returned to their original stations in July next year.

As of press time, the voters’ population in Naga City has reached 113,000. Julia said the average number of registrants per day is 200 but more individuals of voting age are expected to troop to Comelec offices to registered for the elections next year.