MOCK ELECTIONS SLATED

Initao Election Officer Dina Cabunoc yesterday said, mock elections in two barangays namely Poblacion and Oguis are being prepared by them. This will be on February 02, and in the morning for Poblacion the afternoon for Oguis. Their target, Cabunoc said, are 50 PDs or persons with disabilities for each barangay and that they are registered voters there to qualify. Briefing for people involved of this process will be in the office of the COMELEC come Friday 01 of February 2013. And she is inviting the public to witness this oncoming event.

PRISONERS CAN VOTE

In a short talk this morning in her office, Initao BJMP chief Inspector Grace Manaya told the Observer that prisoners here many vote come May 13 elections. Of course they must be registered voters and that they are eligible to exercise that right thus entitled to elect candidates of their choice. Other prisoners that are registered elsewhere may vote here, Manaya said, but only in the national level not on the local candidates. And they cannot escort them to their places for this would entail expense and risk due to the distances involved. And they in the BJMP, Manaya also said, are not yet informed what voting center in Poblacion their prisoners may vote. They will yet be given notice by the COMELEC and she is sure this will be arranged with the proper protocol.

CANDIDATES' FORUM MULLED

In the COMELEC Office, Dina Cabunoc, Initao's election officer this morning said they are planning to stage townwide what she dubbed Candidates' forum where those who are running May shall present themselves to be personally known by voters as well as their programs for the people whom they set to serve. This will be, Cabunoc pointed out, in all 16 barangays and the schedule will be known before the campaign period, and even if only three candidates appear, they will still hold the forum and move on. Only five minutes, she emphasized, are alloted for the candidates to speak who they and what they offer.