CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Commission on Election (COMELEC)-10 reported in Talakayan sa PIA, that there were no COVID-19 infections during the implementation of voters registration in the region because of strict implementation of minimum public health standards.

Lawyer Gina Luna Zayas-Sabio of COMELEC-10 said the total number of registered voters in region 10 as of October 30, 2021 is at 3,060,515. Per province, Bukidnon registered 944,838 voters, Camiguin (64,090), Lanao del Norte (577,016), Misamis Occidental (434,832) and Misamis Oriental (1,039,739).

Meanwhile, total number of precincts is 6,072 with Bukidnon 1,483, Camiguin (111), Lanao del Norte (1,282), Misamis Occidental (1,144) and Misamis Oriental (2,052).

She reiterated that there will only be 800 voters per clustered precinct and voting time is from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The start of the election period and gun ban is from January 9–June 8, 2022. This means, COMELEC will implement gun ban checkpoints apart from the COVID checkpoints around the region.

February 8 will be the start of the campaign period for national candidates such as president, vice president and party list groups. Meanwhile March 25 to May 7 will be the campaign period for candidates for member of house of representatives, elective regional, provincial, city and municipal officials.

Sabio shared prohibited acts during this time including appointment or hiring of new employees, promotion or giving of salary increases, construction of public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices and release or disbursement of public funds.

More importantly, prohibited acts include campaigning on April 14-15, 2022 (Holy Thursday and Good Friday respectively) and May 8 (day before election) and May 9 (during election day).

“We have no premature campaigning law so we request candidates to slow down to avoid being the cause for any COVID surge and that the election period is still a long way ahead,” she said.

COMELEC is also coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH)-10 to ensure public minimum health protocols are adhered to.

COMELEC also requests voters to bring their own copy of the list of candidates to vote for during election day to save time and allow others to vote within the specified voting time. (JMOR/PIA-10)