2010 Election Period Commenced

January 10, 2009, Sunday is the start of the 5-month election period which will end at June 9. The beginning of election period also means the start of following new rules for the preparation of the 2010 elections.

During the election period there will be an implementation of a nationwide gun ban. This gun ban is applicable to everyone except government security forces. It is prohibited to carry guns in public places like parks and malls and even in private and public vehicles. According to Comelec they will also set up checkpoints in order to keep an eye on violations. Not only guns are banned. There will also be a prohibition in transfer of officers and employees of the civil service during the election period. According to Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the violation of this decree would also signify as an election offense.

The commencement of the election period is the most important rather than actual election date or the counting of votes after it. Because it will mark the next happenings during the entire election period. As what I’ve heard from the news, Comelec director Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan said that if they are not serious in implementing the rules people would not believe them and probably would not follow the resolution they had given. That is why they see to it that they are doing the right way of implementing and reassured they will maintain it.

This start of election period will definitely be a big part of the Philippine history and the following happenings that will occur during the 120-day election period. Every citizen must strictly abide with these rules so that there will be less trouble. I know that these rules are most likely to be ignored; probably disobedience will be an issue in the days to follow. But as a student though not I’m not directly under the decree given, I will still do my part in obeying the rules. In fact, I am now a registered voter and I know it is not ideal to have a clean election in our country. Aside from knowing these negatives, I know I can make even a very little a difference by simply following the rules and being a wise voter. Just like what they say, “Ako ang simula!”