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Joel Celis, Provincial Assistant Election officer, said there are still plenty of campaign posters, tarpaulins and even streamers nailed on trees or left hanging around the province.
Celis said it is the moral obligation of the winners and losers to clean up their mess after the Comelec shall have proclaimed the winners.
“There are losing candidates and even those who won who did not cooperate in removing their campaign materials. We still see (their campaign paraphernalia on) the trees and even the waiting shed and the walls of some public school,” Celis noted.
Celis said their office has instructed the municipal election officers in 17 towns of the province to conduct an “Operation Baklas” to remove the posters and other campaign paraphernalia used in the synchronized Barangay and SK elections.
But Celis admitted that there are municipal election officers who complain of additional burden in doing Operation Baklas, citing lack of personnel.
“I am now appealing to those candidates who won that if possible, take the initiative to help the commission in cleaning the trash of those irresponsible candidates in the previous elections,” Celis stressed.
Celis also urged the outgoing SK and Barangay officials to clear themselves of any obligation or responsibility.
Celis said this is to ensure proper turnover of responsibility to the incoming SK and Barangay officials who will begin their term of office next month, on December 1.
Celis said all office equipment and funds should be properly accounted for before the new SK and Barangay officials assume their post. (MindaNews)