The Commission on Elections show cause orders issued to candidates in Negros Occidental accused of premature campaigning have increased to 144, Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said on Monday, October 16.
He said 19 new show cause orders were issued with eight each in Binalbagan and Murcia, two in Bacolod City, and one in Bago City.
The show cause orders are issued to give candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) a chance to explain why charges should not be filed against them, he said.
He said the COMELEC is serious about disqualifying candidates who violate the campaign rules.
The official campaign period will start Thursday, October 19, until October 28. Election Day is on October 30.
Ananoria does not expect the 51 election watchlist areas in Negros Occidental to increase, although there could be changes when the official campaign period starts.
The accountable forms for the October 30 polls are expected to arrive in Negros Occidental this week, he said.
Ananoria reminded teachers manning precincts on Election Day to bring their own food as accepting from candidates could be tantamount to violating the rule on vote buying.*