The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has stopped preparations for the Nov. 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), including the filing of certificates of candidacy and campaign activities, following the enactment of a law moving the next polls to 2028.
COMELEC acted on Sept. 25, a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12326, which fixes the terms of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan members at five years and moves the next regular BSKE to November 2028.
The poll body approved the move through Minute Resolution No. 26-0842 during its executive session, acting on the recommendation of Deputy Executive Director for Operations Rafael B. Olaño, head of the 2026 BSKE Project Management Office.
“With the enactment and effectivity of R.A. No. 12326, the preparations must come to a halt,” Olaño said in his memorandum to the commission.
The stoppage covers major pre-election activities that had been scheduled for the Nov. 2 polls, including the filing of certificates of candidacy and the campaign period.
COMELEC also lifted prohibitions on certain acts that had been imposed in connection with the scheduled elections under its calendar of activities and other election rules.
The decision came after the commission had already completed several stages of preparation for the 2026 BSKE.
COMELEC had issued resolutions covering the election calendar, prohibited acts, filing of certificates of candidacy, and instructions for voters and poll workers. Election materials had also been procured, official ballots printed and electoral boards constituted.
The commission, however, directed its offices to continue the ongoing printing of additional ballots, accountable forms, Election Day Computerized Voters List and Precinct Computerized Voters List until the allocated quantities are completed.
Pending procurement of forms and supplies related to the 2026 BSKE will also proceed, including their delivery, subject to measures previously ordered by the commission.
All election forms, supplies and other paraphernalia already printed or procured for the 2026 polls are to be secured, properly stored and preserved for future use.
The 2026 BSKE Project Management Office was directed to implement the resolution, effectively stopping the remaining election preparations while preserving the materials already produced.
The halt does not cover voter registration entirely.
COMELEC said registration for voters for the 2028 National and Local Elections will continue starting in the second week of November 2026.
RA 12326 amended the law governing the terms of barangay and SK officials and set the next BSKE for November 2028.
The resolution was approved by COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia and Commissioners Aimee P. Ferolino, Rey E. Bulay, Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda Jr., Nelson J. Celis, Maria Norina S. Tangaro-Casingal and Noli R. Pipo.
Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency
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