Comelec prescribes activity calendar, prohibited acts for May 2022 polls

The Commission on Elections has laid down the activity calendar, as well as prohibited acts for the coming May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

In a tweet on February 13, 2021, Director James Jimenez said that under Comelec Resolution No. 10695, the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for all elective position is from October 1, 2021 to October 8, 2021, including Saturday and Sunday.

He said the election period will start on January 9, 2022 and end on June 8, 2022. Gun ban is in effect for the entirety of this period, which means bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec, is prohibited.

The following acts are also prohibited:

• use of security or bodyguards by candidates unless authorized in writing by the Comelec;
• organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or other similar forces;
• alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct;
• transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service; and
• suspension of elective local officials.

The campaign period of candidates for national positions (President, Vice-President, senator, and party-list groups) is from February 8, 2022 to May 7, 2022.

Meanwhile, for candidates in the local elective positions (members of the House of Representatives and regional, provincial, city, and municipal offices), campaigning begins only on March 25, 2022 but also ends on May 7, 2022. However, campaigning is prohibited during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday -- on April 14 and April 15, 2022, respectively.

For a period of one month, from April 10, 2022 to May 9, 2022, overseas voters may cast their votes in Philippine Embassies, Consulates, and other posts pursuant to the overseas voting system.

Local absentee voters have three days to vote, which is on April 27, 28, and 29, 2022. The last day to file an application to be a local absentee voter is on March 7, 2022.

Liquor ban is in effect beginning May 8, 2022 until May 9, 2022, which means selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor is prohibited.

Campaigning is prohibited on the Eve of Election Day until Election Day, in addition to the following prohibited acts:

• giving or accepting free transportation, food or drinks or things of value;
• soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against a candidate or any political party in the polling place or within 30 meters thereof; and
• opening of booths or stalls for the sale of merchandise or refreshments within a 30-meter radius from the polling place and holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, house races or any other similar sports.

—LBG, GMA News