Comelec: No postponement of midterm polls yet

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted that they have not received proposal to reschedule the forthcoming national elections. (Photo:COMELEC Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday shrugged off reports on the plan to postpone the May 2019 midterm polls.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted that they have not received proposal to reschedule the forthcoming national elections.

“No motion or proposal to postpone the 2019 National and Local Elections has been laid before the Commission on Elections,” he said in an interview.

“There appears to be no reason, therefore, to entertain such a notion at this time,” the poll body official added.

With this, Jimenez said that they continue to prepare for next year’s electoral exercises.

“There is no reason to believe that the 2019 polls will be postponed, and every reason to move ahead with the preparations. Bear in mind that we are less than a year away from a national and local elections,” he added.

The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), meanwhile, expressed opposition on the plan to delay the May 2019 polls.

“We are against it,” said Namfrel secretary general Eric Alvia in a separate interview.

“Regularity of elections is a cornerstone in any democracy and proper representation. Regular elections is also a safeguard against local and national tyrants,” he added.

On Monday, retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Nachura said there is a possibility that several members of Congress may call for the postponement of next year’s midterm elections to make way for a plebiscite to pass the new federal constitution.