Comelec bans handshake, kissing, and PDA for 2022 campaigns

With COVID-19 still widely present, practicing proper health protocols is still important to follow. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not allow handshaking, kissing, and other forms of physical contact during the campaign for the 2022 national elections.

The House committee on people’s participation discussed the pandemic’s impact on next year’s elections. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said during the forum, ‘Public displays of affection used to be part of the whole idea of campaigning, as they say. Politicians go out to shake hands and kiss babies,’

‘You’re not gonna be able to do that anymore. Because that will certainly be very risky behavior. And yes, that qualifies as PDA and that will have to be strictly regulated,’ he added.

Comelec aims to release confirmed guidelines on campaigning before 2021 ends, but Jimenez gave a glimpse on the forum on Tuesday. It ranges from banning the dissemination of food packs to people attending political rallies and limitations on mass gatherings. Even members of the media who would cover these events are not exempted from the rules.

Jimenez explained that the rules on public gatherings will be formed with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). He said, ‘There will be restrictions on the granting of permits, hopefully via DILG and the local government units (LGUs). We’ve already had early discussions on these matters.’

The poll body could not completely halt face-to-face campaigns as it would give wealthier candidates the upper hand since they have the means to pay for media advertisements.

The 2022 campaign period for the national posts will officially begin on February 8, while the local posts will start on March 25.

Filipinos have 78 days left to register to vote as of writing. You can now conveniently use Comelec’s mobile registration app or opt to follow this straightforward guide.

Banner: Leanne Jazul/Rappler

The post <b> Comelec bans handshake, kissing, and PDA for 2022 campaigns </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic