The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, August 30, said it will conduct the special polls in the third legislative district of Negros Oriental by the second week of December.
In a Viber message, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed the schedule following the call of the House of Representatives to fill the vacant seat of former Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.
“Special election in the 3rd District of Negros Oriental is on December 9, 2023,” he said.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told the Philippine News Agency that they will allot around P75 million for the special polls.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 10945, aspiring candidates for the seat have three days to file their certificate of candidacy from Nov. 6 to 8.
The special election period and the gun ban starts from Nov. 9 to Dec. 24.
Garcia earlier disclosed the poll body’s target to start printing ballots for the special election before September ends.
There are 301,264 registered voters in the Negros Oriental covering areas of Bacong, Basay, Dauin, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Valencia, Zamboanguita and Bayawan City.
Teves earlier faced expulsion “for disorderly behavior and violation of Section 141 (a) and (b), Rule XX of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives, by the requisite vote of two-thirds of all its members as provided for in the Constitution.”*PNA