Comelec wants postponement of SK polls until 2016

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MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) wants the holding of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls to be postponed and synchronized with the barangay elections in 2016.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they will ask lawmakers to reschedule the holding of the youth elections, which is set to be held between October 28, 2014 and February 23, 2015.

“Our position is not to hold the SK elections. We want to just have it synchronized with the regular barangay elections, which is scheduled on October 2016,” he said in an interview.

The poll body chief is planning to meet with congressmen and senators, particularly Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Caloocan Rep.

Edgar Erice.

Brillantes noted that holding the SK polls might affect the preparations for the May 2016 national and local polls.

“What we really want is for another postponement so it won’t muddle with our ongoing preparations for 2016 presidential elections. We already face many problems now. What more if you involve again the SK elections,” he explained.

On the other hand, Brillantes added that they are prepared to hold the elections as required by RA 10632 if Congress rejects their request.

“If they will insist on holding the SK as the law says, then we have no other choice but to follow,” he said.

On October 3, 2013,, President Aquino signed Republic Act No. 10632, which postponed the SK polls scheduled October 28, 2013.

The law also directed the Comelec to choose when elections will be held anytime between October 28, 2014 and February 23, 2015.