Comelec sets curfew in Negros Oriental for BSKE 2023

Dumaguete City (CNN Philippines, October 25) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will impose a curfew in Negros Oriental for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections

Curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. will be implemented on Oct. 28 and 29 to ensure public safety, according to Regional Joint Security Control Center VII.

Regional Election Director Leonel Marco Castellano said the curfew hours aim to prevent vote-buying, threats, intimidation, and violence against voters, candidates, and election workers.

Violators will be detained for the duration of the curfew hours and will be released at 5 a.m.

Workers required to travel such as BPO employees, health workers, and those who are engaged in the business of transporting goods or services are exempted during their work hours.

Meanwhile, Castellano said no major election-related violence was reported as of Oct. 25.

Negros Oriental is placed under the poll body's control over security concerns, following several incidents of politics-related violence, particularly the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other people in March.