ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here began tearing down illegal campaign materials that are displayed outside the designated poster areas in the city.

Election officer Lawyer Joel Dexter Nagtalon said the "Operation Baklas" is conducted pursuant to Comelec Resolution 10730 which implements the provisions of the Fair Election Act.

"Under that resolution, kailangan mayroon tayong common poster areas so lahat ng mga election campaign paraphernalia outside the common poster areas ay dapat tanggalin [we must have common poster areas, so all election campaign paraphernalia outside the common poster areas must be removed]. This is why we will be conducting a series of Operation Baklas during the entire campaign period for the national and the local elections in order to implement this resolution," he said.

Nagtalon said 44 common poster areas have been identified in the city which are usually located within the premises of the barangay.

He also said that Resolution 10730 likewise prohibits election materials that do not comply with the prescribed size.

"Ang posters dapat hindi lalampas sa two (2) feet by three (3) feet, yung mga streamers that will be hanged in the headquarters pati na yung mga nasa campaign rallies should not be more than three (3) feet by eight (8) feet in size," he added.

[Posters should not exceed two (2) feet by three (3) feet, streamers that will be hanged in the headquarters, as well as those at campaign rallies, should not be more than three (3) feet by eight (8) feet in size.]

The campaign period for national candidates in the May 2022 polls officially started on February 8 and ends on May 7. For candidates in local elective positions, the campaign begins only on March 25 and also ends on May 7. (APB/PIA Iligan City)