THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is making preparations in case heavy rains occur during the holding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on Sept. 14.
The Comelec can postpone the elections due to a natural calamity.
“Under the Omnibus Election Code, Comelec has the authority to postpone elections in cases of force majeure. Typhoons and flooding qualify as
force majeure. We can opt not to hold the election as scheduled, provided it is conducted within 30 days thereafter. That is an option we are considering,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said.
In a press briefing during the Media Walkthrough of the Data Centers 1 and 2 for the BPE in Makati City, Garcia said they are more concerned about the schools designated as polling places, as some areas experience severe flooding.
“We are looking into where we can relocate voting centers, should there be heavy rain on election day, so that our citizens can still cast their votes,” he said.
“We aren’t worried about rain preventing data transmission because we are using high-quality Starlink systems. We are confident that we can transmit results even amid typhoons and rain.”
Garcia said they do not foresee election paraphernalia getting wet as all equipment are secured in Comelec warehouses.
“The only slight concern arises when the equipment is deployed to the municipalities. Therefore, municipal treasurers must ensure that the storage facilities for these materials are adequate,” he said.
Deployment of automated counting machines (ACMs), laptops and other election paraphernalia to the Offices of Election Officer are set to start on the third week of August.
The transmission kits, ACM external batteries and ballot boxes are already in regional hubs while waiting to be sent to local poll body offices.
Based on Comelec data, there are a total of 2,393,202 registered voters in the BARMM. (PNA)
