Comelec, police gear up for local poll campaign, Tuesday Mar. 23, 2004, Philippines Options

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Comelec, police gear up
for local poll campaign
Posted: 2:27 AM (Manila Time) | Mar. 23, 2004
By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Inquirer News Service

AS THE local campaign begins on Thursday, police and local Commission on Elections officials are gearing up for another round of battle against campaign posters and streamers.

In Malabon City, elections officer Villamor Igne told the Inquirer on Monday that they were prepared to tear down posters of local candidates which would be posted outside designated areas.


He advised local candidates and their supporters to put posters and streamers only in common poster areas so as not to waste their campaign funds because these would only be torn down.

From an earlier rule defining a common poster area for every 10,000 district voters, the Comelec has modified it to a poster area for every 5,000 voters, Igne said.

Thus, common poster areas in Malabon City has been increased from 16 to 32. White streamers identify the common poster areas in the city.

City police chief Freddie Panen also said they are ready to assist the Comelec in the "Oplan Baklas" against campaign posters.

The police, the local Comelec and church organizations have also set up a city election monitoring center to ensure orderly campaign.

Source:http://www.inq7.net/met/2004/mar/23/met_3-1.htm