Comelec reshuffles poll officers for May 2022 elections
By Jason B. Neola
The Commission on Election (Comelec) in Bicol is scheduled to reassign 13 election officers to new posts after the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy on October 1-8 this year.
Although there is no final date yet as to when the election officers will report to their new places of assignments, lawyer Maico T. Julia Jr., Naga City election officer, said that it will possibly happen in November this year.
The 13 election officers who are slated to be reassigned are heads of Comelec offices in seven cities and six capital towns in the region. Not yet included in the reshuffle are the election officers assigned to the different municipalities in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.
The movements of election officers prior to local and national elections is usually done by the Comelec to ensure efficiency, competence integrity and absolute impartiality of its officers.
As of June 30, 2021, the Comelec said Naga City has a voting population of 106,000 based on its record. Julia said the figure is expected to increase up to 112,000 because of the ongoing voter’s registration which is set to end on Sept.30, 2021.
Expected to replace Julia as election officer of Naga City is lawyer Francis Nieves, the election officer in Daet, Camarines Norte. Julia will be reassigned in Virac, Catanduanes.
Meanwhile, lawyer Maria Juana Valeza, Comelec Bicol regional director, will be reassigned to Region IV, while lawyer Noli Pipo, Comelec chief of Region I will take over her post. Lawyer Noriel Badiola, Comelec chief in Camarines Sur will assume as Masbate Comelec chief, while lawyer Maria Aurea Bo-Bunao, will be assigned in Albay.
During election period, which is from Jan. 9 to June 8, 2022, Comelec will implement gun ban, prohibition in the use of security personnel as well as hiring, appointment, transfer, and suspension of government officials and employees.
The campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senators, and party-lists will be from Feb. 8 to May 7, 2022. For local candidates, the campaign period will be from March 25 to May 7, 2022.
The filing period for certificates of candidacy for all elective candidates will be from Oct. 1-8, 2021. Filing of the list of nominees for all party-list organizations will also be made during this period.
By Oct. 29, 2021, the Comelec is expected to start posting the list of tentative list of candidates in its website and in local offices. The deadline for posting the list of party-list nominees is on Nov. 30, 2021.
Casting of votes for overseas voters will be from April 10, 2022 to May 9, 2022, while local absentee voters can cast their votes from April 27 to 29, 2022.
Election Day is set on May 9, 2022, with the voting hours yet to be set. Counting and canvassing of votes will immediately start as soon as polling precincts close.
The last day to file the statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) for all candidates and parties is on June 8, 2022