The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) needs the go signal from the government before it can take down unlawful poll campaign materials, its leader said Sunday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) recently instructed candidates to dismantle campaign materials that exceed the size limit of 2 by 3 feet or were placed outside common poster areas or in private property without the owner's permission.

Namfrel will identify candidates that defy this order, but it cannot have its volunteers take down the posters without the green light from the police or Comelec as this would invite "unnecessary tension," said secretary general Eric Alvia.

"We don't want also to expose our volunteers to either unnecessary harm or threat... But if Comelec is there and the PNP supports us then we would gladly do the work for them," he told ANC.

The campaign period will run from February 12 to May 11 for senatorial candidates and party-list groups, and on March 29 to May 11 for local bets.