Comelec joins Duterte’s call for peaceful Eleksyon 2022

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to reject violence and pursue a peaceful conduct of Eleksyon 2022.

In a statement shared by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez to reporters, Comelec reminded the candidates running for Eleksyon 2022 not to resort to violence in winning the polls.

“The President’s call for peaceful elections is a powerful reminder to all would-be candidates and their campaigns, to reject violence,” Jimenez said.

It reassured the public that the poll body is working with the security sector to ensure that the next year’s elections will be free and orderly.

“The COMELEC shares the President’s sentiment and would like to reassure the public that it works very closely with both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to ensure that the elections are free of violence,” he added.

Jimenez reiterated that the poll body has the authority to implement Comelec control on specific parts of the country where violent situations may occur and the integrity of the polls is threatened.

In a speech Friday, Duterte has raised the possibility of using the military to ensure a peaceful Eleksyon 2022 in May.

He also warned against attempts to manipulate the election results and resort to violence, saying he would be forced to use might to thwart these. —KG, GMA News