By Neela G. Duallo

City of Mati (11 October) -- As the countdown approaches its finish for the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay election, Comelec Mati is now working on the finishing touches for the conduct of election.

City Election Officer Ali Acbar Sangcopan said that Comelec is now ready for the October 29 political exercise.

"We will conduct a candidates' briefing next week, before the last day of filing of certificate of candidacy," he disclosed.

The briefing is aimed to instill to the minds of the candidates the importance of abiding to election laws.

Sangcopan revealed further that he is also working to facilitate a covenant signing among the candidates, the Comelec, PNP, and CENRO.

"The CENRO plays a very important role here. They also want compliance to election laws, particularly to the common poster areas designated in each barangay, so as not to make terrible garbage after election. And also, the covenant aims for the prevalence of a very orderly and peaceful conduct of the elections," Sangcopan said.

The City Election Officer calls on all electorates to exercise their right of suffrage, this time for the leaders among the youth, and for the basic unit of government, the barangay.

He also reported that they are now scrutinizing the list of teachers who will serve in the election, submitted to them by the Dept. of Education-Davao Or. Schools Division.

"As stipulated in the Fair Elections Act, teachers with relatives to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity who will run in the elections are not allowed to serve", he explained.

Comelec-Mati reiterates its advice to the voters whose names do not appear on the master list when they cast their votes on Election Day.

"They have to go to the office and we will help them with the problem," he said.

Sangcopan also welcomes media practitioners who will seek mandate from the people.

"We also need new leaders, and they also deserve the opportunity to serve. Anyway, it will be the people who will decide," he explained.

In the City of Mati, many media personalities had already expressed intention to run in the coming elections, mostly broadcast media practitioners.