MAASIN CITY (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in this city shared a number of things to do and avoid doing for voters and candidates in relation to the upcoming conduct of the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October 30, this year.

For registered voters, particularly in the city, the schedule for final posting of their names in the certified voters list will be on August 1 at the City Comelec Office located at the Government Center, Brgy. Combado, in the vicinity of the Bayview Park.

City Election Officer, Atty. Don Joshua Margate, enjoined all voters to check the list and ensure their names are listed there, otherwise they should inform the Comelec office immediately.

From August 1 to August 9, the Comelec will be meeting with teachers who will be serving in the elections, Margate said during the Kapihan sa PIA interview Wednesday, May 10.

The days from August 28 to November 29 are set aside as election period, with the latter as the last day for filing Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE) for both winning and losing candidates.

A gun ban is imposed within this time frame, even carrying of plastic or toy guns constitutes an election offense, Margate informed.

Also within this period, there will be no preventive suspension of elected officials, no detail or transfer of civil servants, no raising of funds for candidates, as well as no security, bodyguards for candidates.

Filing for certificates of candidacy is from August 28 to September 2, but campaigning is prohibited from September 3 to October 18, because the campaign period will only be from October 19 to 28.

For those desiring to run, the age for regular barangay positions starts from 18, while for youth leaders the age is from 18 to 24 years old, among other required qualifications.

As to voting, registered voters aged 15 to 30 can vote twice, for regular barangay posts as well as SK posts, 31 years old and above vote only for the barangay, and those aged 15 to 17 have also one vote, only for SK officials.

There will be no public works funded by the barangay local government unit from October 20 to October 29, Margate emphasized.  (LDL/MMP/PIA Southern Leyte)