The Commission on Election (Comelec) will conduct a pilot test run of mall voting for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) in 15 malls in four regions.
In a press release on Friday, Comelec said mall voting will be in the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Central Visayas.
The specific malls and other relevant data about the mall voting will be announced by the Education and Information Department (EID).
"Through these efforts, voters from select Clustered Precincts of select Barangays proximate to the partner malls shall participate in the Mall Voting," the poll body said.
Early voting hours for vulnerable sector
Meanwhile, Comelec said it is also eyeing to conduct a pilot test run of early voting hours for qualified senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs), and other members of the vulnerable sectors.
The House of Representatives earlier approved the bill that allows early voting hours for vulnerable sectors on the third and final reading.
"This serves as a contingency measure to still afford said vulnerable sectors the added comfort and convenience in voting in case the said Bill is not yet passed in time for the October 30, 2023, BSKE," the poll body said.
BSKE deferement in Negros Oriental
The Comelec also said that it is set to conduct public hearings in Negros Oriental province to determine the sentiments of citizens on the proposed BSKE polls postponement.
The public hearings will be held in every city, municipality, and barangays of the province, it said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) were tapped to assist the poll body during the public hearings.
