The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang (SK) special elections in Marawi City will be held on September 22, Saturday, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman Dir. James Jimenez.

Jimenez said they expect around 79,000 voters on the day of the election.

“Sa barangay [eleksyon], ang hinahanda namin, humigit kumulang 53,000 ballots; Sangguniang Kabataan about 26,000,” he said.

These include residents in the most affected areas, or ground zero, which comprises 24 villages whose residents are still evacuees until today.

Comelec plans to set up special voting centers for these residents since ground zero has been totally damaged by the war and is still closed to civilians.

“Ang gagawin ng Comelec, close to election day, maglalabas ng listahan ng mga alternative voting centers, dito gagawin ang voting para sa mga barangays affected” Jimenez said.

Comelec, however, said there's no more registration for new voters.

Meanwhile, the Comelec is looking at January as the possible month for the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which is expected to be participated in by some 3 million voters.

But Comelec said no specific date has yet been assigned since there are still some legal requirements before a plebiscite can take place.

These include publication of the new law in the Official Gazette, two major broadsheets and local newspapers.

“Ayon sa batas, [it should be] 90-150 days after the completion of the publication,” Jimenez said.

As for the May 13, 2019 elections, the filing of certificates of candidacy may be held early part of October, according to Comelec.

Jimenez said there are some proposals in Congress to push the filing a little further to address problems in premature campaigning.