By Mike dela Rama
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 17 (PNA) – The proposal to hold an early election in Masbate province is very lean, this according to the Commission on Election (Comelec) Bicol regional office.
Comelec Bicol regional director Zacariaz Zaragoza told the Philippines News Agency Wednesday, that holding an election in Masbate ahead of the May 10 general election will not materialize without legal basis.
“The law provides that general election is on May 10, this means that holding an election ahead is illegal unless the Philippine Congress will enact another law,†Zaragoza said.
He explained that being an election hot spot is not a basis to conduct an early election in the province of Masbate. “The proposal is very lean because there is no longer time for Congress to pursue legislative measure that would allow the holding of election ahead May 10 general election.â€
Earlier, lawyer Alberto Cañares III, acting election supervisor for Masbate, said he has been calling for separate balloting in Masbate, which has a long history of election violence and rampant vote-buying.
Holding advanced elections in “hot spots†that include Masbate could prevent bloodshed and massive fraud as the poll body would be able to concentrate its security and administrative forces in those areas.
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