By NERISSA JANE P. FONSECA, ANGELA RICA ARCE and PIA REPORTS
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Kabataan Partylist-Ilocos region urged the youth of the first district of Ilocos Sur to vote wisely in the upcoming special elections for Congressional representative slated on May 28 in Vigan City.

“Una sa lahat, nananawagan tayo sa mga kapwa natin kabataan na bumoto at makilahok sa gaganaping special elections,” (First of all we encourage all our fellow youth to participate in the upcoming special elections) said Lee Biscarra, ang Ilocos Sur Coordinator ng Kabataan Partylist.

Biscara further called on the youth to be discerning. He added that the youth should study the platform of government and programs of the candidates and choose the one whose platform would really serve the interest of the people.

He also pointed out that the programs of the candidates for the youth should also be considered.

“Partikular sa mga kabataan at estudyante, mahalagang tignan kung sino sa mga kandidato ang mayroong programa na seryosong sasagot sa krisis sa edukasyon at kawalan ng disente at akmang trabaho, lalo na at marami tayong mga bagong graduates at dumadami ang mga nagsisipagtapos na walang trabaho,” ( Particular to the youth and students, it is important to study who among the candidates has a program that would seriously address the education crisis and lack of decent and fit jobs, especially that there are many new graduates and a growing number of them who are unemployed.) Biscarra stressed.

Ilocos Sur’s Provincial Election Supervisor Marino Salas said last April 7 that the special election period will start on April 28, 2011 until June 7, 2011.

The holding of a special election is to fill up the congressional post vacated by former Congressman Ronald Singson who resigned as lawmaker after the Hongkong court sentenced him to 18 months in jail in connection with a drug trafficking case.

Salas said the following acts are prohibited during the election period: alteration of territory of a new polling precinct and establishment of a new precinct; carrying of firearms; transfer or detail of officers and employees in government offices, including public school teachers; and the use of bodyguards or security personnel by candidates whether or not they are members of the police, the military and other law enforcement agencies.

According to Salas, the filing of certificate of candidacy for those who want to vie for the position will start on May 9 up to 13, while the campaign period will start on May 14 and ends on the 26.

Salas said manual counting of votes will be done for the special polls.

The 1st District of Ilocos Sur which has 161, 975 registered voters is composed of 10 towns and 1 city namely: Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Bantay, Santa Catalina and Caoayan; and Vigan City. # nordis.net