THE National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) yesterday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to make the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental as a “final option.”
In a phone interview, Namfrel secretary general Eric Alvia said the BSKE in Negros Oriental should push through on October 30 as much as possible.
“All efforts should be explored by the Comelec to push through with the polls in a safe and peaceful environment,” said Alvia, adding that “deferring the polls should be the final option if these conditions are not met.”
Alvia said this is why the forthcoming public hearing to be conducted by the Comelec in the province would be crucial.
He likewise said it is necessary for the PNP and the AFP to conduct an extensive assessment of the situation in the province.
“The decision to postpone the BSKE elections in Negros Oriental by the Comelec should depend on the assessment made by the AFP, PNP, and inputs from public consultations,” said Alvia.
The Comelec is set to hold public hearings in Negros Oriental from June 27 to 29 with the AFP and PNP also set to participate.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the holding of the public hearings in Negros Oriental is due to their desire to ensure that postponement is necessary and unavoidable.
“We don’t want to postpone the elections in a particular area posthaste. We need to listen to those in the area themselves as they will be the ones affected by the postponement of an electoral exercise,” said the poll chief.
And aside from the public hearings in Negros Oriental from June 27 to 29, he said they are also set to hear the position of other election stakeholders.
Last April, Sen. Francis Tolentino proposed the postponement of the BSKE in Negros Oriental in a bid to provide momentum in the peacekeeping efforts there.
The call comes on the heels of the political killings in the province, including the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
In response, the Comelec has set a three-day simultaneous public hearing across the different cities and municipalities of the province.
