Over 1.4 million filed candidacies for 2023 BSKE —Comelec

Over 1.4 million individuals filed certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Latest data from the Comelec showed a total of 1,414,487 candidates from 82 provinces had lodged their respective CoCs as of 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5.

Of the figures, 96,962 individuals are running for Punong Barangay; 731,682 for member of Sangguniang Barangay; 92,774 for chairperson of Sangguniang Kabataan, and 493,069 for member of Sangguniang Kabataan.

According to Comelec, this year’s elections yielded significantly more aspirants compared to the 1,193,368 recorded in the last May 2018 BSKE.

The period for the filing of candidacies was set from August 28 to September 2, 2023.

However, it was extended until September 3, 2023, in Ilocos Norte and the National Capital Region due to the suspension of work in government offices caused by the inclement weather.

It was likewise extended in Abra until September 4, 2023.

For his part, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia thanked the Comelec personnel, law enforcement agencies, local government units, partner malls, and election watchdogs for a “successful” conduct of the filing period.

"The results are more than what we can ask for. Our congratulations and much appreciation to everyone who joined and assisted us in this activity. Mabuhay po kayo!" said Garcia.

The poll body earlier said the filing period would no longer be extended.

The 2023 BSKE will be held on October 30. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News