Disqualified BSKE bets now at 87 —Comelec

The number of disqualified candidates in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) has reached 87, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

The Comelec said this developed after it granted the petitions for disqualification filed against seven BSKE bets. 

Of the disqualified candidates, five committed premature campaigning, one committed premature campaigning and vote buying, and one was removed from office by virtue of an administrative case. 

Premature campaigning violates Section 80, in relation to Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits any person from engaging in an election campaign or partisan political activity outside the campaign period.

The campaign period for the 2023 BSKE was from October 19 to October 28.

Meanwhile, vote-buying and vote-selling are considered as an election offense under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

Any person found guilty of election offense shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years.

Also, those found guilty will be denied the right to vote and prohibited from holding public office, and any political party found guilty of vote-buying will be fined.

The poll body said the number of disqualified candidates may increase before the year ends, adding that it is committed to solving all pending disqualification cases related to the BSKE.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News