DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 23 (PIA) --The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) expressed support to postponement or delay of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental amid the spate of political killings in the province.

The DEB proposed the delay of BSKE by 30 days after the original schedule of Oct. 30, 2023.

DEB Convenor Msgr. Julius Heruela said the position is to give more focus or concentration by law enforcers on the conduct of elections and to ensure the poll will be peaceful in all 557 barangays in the province.

The DEB’s written position cited the need for special attention descended from the political crisis that have been manifested by the unfortunate March 4, 2023 massacre incident in Pamplona– a precipitation of ugly politics in the province.

“The election of Barangay and SK officials in Negros Oriental are now visibly politicized, and highly influenced by partisan politics,” said Msgr. Heruela.

The move for the postponement stated as an opportunity to fully respect the election process and the sanctity of the ballot, to give the government, principally the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the public to focus more attention to the election process, and adhere to the essence of true democratic elections.

The same petition will be released by group of clergy, lay minister, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Dumaguete before the start of Comelec’s public consultations and on the proposed postponement from June 27 to 29, said Msgr. Heruela.

Comelec’s decision to postpone the polls in the province may be revealed after consolidating the results of the public hearing or consultations or before the nationwide village elections.

DEB official said, it is expected that government can redeploy and concentrate more law enforcers when BSKE postponed to impede coercion, intimidation, and the flow of vote-buying, and indicated one uniformed personnel for 400 or 500 citizens in an area. (JCT/PIA Negros Oriental)