With the release of the calendar of the national and local elections on May 9, 2022, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) enumerated prohibited acts that both the candidates and the electorate should comply with during the election period from Jan. 9, 2022 to June 8, 2022.

Prohibited acts:

• Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct. (Section 5, R.A. 8189).

• Transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service. (Sec. 261 (h), OEC).

• Bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons unless authorized in writing, by the Commission. (Section 32, R.A. 7166)

• Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates unless authorized in writing, by the Commission (Section 33, R. A. 7166).

• Organizing or maintaining reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces. (Sec. 261 (u), OEC).

• Suspension of local officials. (Sec. 261 (x), OEC).

• Giving donations or gifts in cash or in kind etc. (Sec. 104, OEC)

• Appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents, and the like. (Sec. 261 (m), OEC)

• Illegal release of prisoners. (Sec. 261 (n), OEC)

• Appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions or giving salary increases, remuneration or privilege. (Sec. 261 (g), OEC)

• Construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and insurance of treasury warrant or similar devices for undertaking chargeable against public funds. (Sec 261 (w), OEC)

• Release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds. (Sec 261 (v), OEC)

• Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against candidate or any political party within the polling place of within 30 meters thereof. (Sec (261 (cc), OEC)

• Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or any other similar sport. (Sec. 261 (dd) (3), OEC)

• Voting more than once in substitution of another. (Sec. 261 (z), (2) and (3), OEC)

Although the election period is still less than a year away, the public must be aware of the above-mentioned prohibited acts to prevent committing election offenses.