AS the official campaign period started yesterday, Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said that police visibility remains a priority to ensure a peaceful courting of voters towards a clean and honest Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has set the election proper on October 30 or two days after a 10-day campaign period from October 19 to 28.

Abalos said that the national police will be deploying more personnel particularly in barangays determined by the poll body as “areas of concern.”

The move according to the DILG chief, is the government’s bid to maintain public safety and security and at the same time, prevent all forms of election-related violence in communities.

“Voting is a sacred exercise of our democratic rights. Napakahalaga ng inyong mga boto lalo na’t malaki ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga barangay sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at polisiya ng pamahalaan. That’s why I call on everyone: let’s work together to protect our electoral process against those who commit vote-buying and vote-selling. Wakasan natin ang kanser ng lipunan na ito,” Abalos said in a statement.

According to the COMELEC, more than 1.4 candidates nationwide will be busy for 10 days trying to woo the electorate with promises they deserve to be their next village and youth council leaders.

The poll body has reminded candidates of the do’s and don’ts during the campaign stretch among them include the installation of paraphernalia outside common areas as well as oversized posters.

During and after campaign sorties, candidates are also prohibited from handing items of value such as t-shirts, ballers, bags, sun visors, caps, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, pens, fans, candies, food and drinks among others.

“Kasama ng COMELEC at ng mga mamamayang Pilipino ang DILG at ang PNP sa pagbabantay at pagtitiyak ng mapayapang pagdaraos ng halalan, mula kampanya hanggang sa bilangan. Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang maayos, malinis, at matiwasay na eleksyon ng ating mga barangay officials tungo sa pagkamit ng ating mithiin na isang Bagong Pilipinas,” Abalos said.

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Joel dela Torre