845 positions nationwide unopposed in 2022 polls —Comelec

A total of 845 positions in the entire country are unopposed in the coming May 9 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.

“Yung total number of unopposed candidates per elective position, sa local elections, we have 845 unopposed candidates and number of seats involved ay 18,023,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said during a press conference.

“All in all 845 positions in the entire country are unopposed,” he added.

He said 39 of the 253 seats in the House of Representatives have unopposed candidates, nine of 81 for provincial governors, 11 of 81 for provincial vice governors, and 45 of 782 for Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Also, 203 of 1,634 city and municipal mayor positions have unopposed candidates, 254 of 1,634 for vice mayors, and 284 of 13,558 for city and municipal councilors

Earlier, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) called on qualified individuals to run for public office, saying that many candidates for government positions are running uncontested.

NAMFREL secretary general Eric Jude Alvia said that around 17% of positions in the 2019 elections were uncontested.

“Maraming mga position na wala talagang kalaban (There were many positions that were uncontested). So we encourage everyone also who have the qualifications to run for public office,” he said.

Alvia pointed out that the opportunity to choose leaders properly is going to be wasted if the number of candidates is limited.—AOL, GMA News