Comelec issues calendar of activities for automated poll

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino voters abroad can vote from April 10 to 3 p.m. of May 10, 2010 (Philippine time), while voters in the country can vote from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. of May 10, 2010. This highlighted the schedule of activities for the 2010 elections that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved. "Casting of votes by overseas absentee voters (OAV) will start April 10, 2010 (Host country time) and will run until 3 p.m. of May 10, 2010 (Philippine Time). Meanwhile, the country’s voters have from 7 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. to cast their votes on Election Day, May 10, 2010," the Comelec said in its blog site (http://bagongbotante.ph/eidblog/), citing excerpts from its Resolution 8646 that it promulgated Tuesday. The schedule was released a week after the formal signing of a contract for automated counting between the Comelec and the consortium that bagged the P11.3-billion automation contract. Also, the Comelec resolution said a list of prohibitions will be in place during the election period from January 10 until June 9, 2010. Prohibited during this period are the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in public places; and the suspension of local elective officials; and transfer of officers and employees in the civil service, etc. The Comelec also pegged the campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senators and party-list groups to February 9 until May 8, 2010. It pegged the campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials from March 26 to May 8, 2010. On the other hand, it said August 17, 2009 is the last day for filing of petitions for registration of political parties and for parties, organizations and coalitions under the Party-List system of representation. Filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for all elective positions will run from November 20, 2009 until November 30, 2009. "During the same period, registered party-list groups may also file manifestations of intent to participate in the party-list elections," the Comelec said. - GMANews.TV