• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections sent notices of violation to 52 candidates aspiring for national elected positions, for failing to comply with rules on campaign posters in Negros Occidental.
The campaign period for senatorial aspirants and party-list representatives started February 12.
Based on data furnished by the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor, for the period of February 24 to March 8, the Special Task Force Baklas removed 4,570 tarpaulins, including 1,523 taken out in highly urbanized Bacolod City, and 1,250 in Silay City.
Provincial Comelec Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria disclosed on Thursday that the notices of violation sent to candidates also requires them to remove the campaign materials within three days from receipt of notice.
If the candidates fail to comply, Comelec would recommend the filing of an election offense and disqualification complaint against the candidate, Comelec chairman George Garcia disclosed earlier.
The Comelec reminded candidates that campaign materials should not be placed in public infrastructures, government buildings, trees, and only in designated common poster areas.
“(We will give a) notice to remove first. If they do not comply, recommendations will be forwarded for election offense, and disqualification cases against these candidates would be filed,” Garcia said.
The Comelec Operation Baklas for campaign materials of local candidates and congressional aspirants is slated to start on March 28.*
