Elections Commission starts review of candidates’ qualification

Commission chairman Santos Borja said that next week it will be known whether the board has disqualified any candidate.Borja when asked on the Commission’s decision on the nominating petitions of the four delegates who had supposedly served more than three terms, said that the matter has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) for review.House Speaker Antonio Bells, Floor Leader Sabino Anastacio, Del. Mario Gulibert said the fourth amendment of the Constitution which bars them from seeking reelection after three terms is “ambiguous.”Borja also added that candidates who are civil servants are required by law to resign from their posts 14 days after they have filed their candidaciesHe said there is no law that mandates that candidates holding high positions in the government to resign. Elected officials and appointees are also not required to resign.There are four candidates for the president including their running mates.There are 44 candidates for the Senate , for the House of Delegates, there are 48 candidates with 16 seats are up for grabs.The general elections is set on Nov. 4 , the voters will also vote on the 22 proposed amendments to the Constitution.The commission scheduled the deadline for voter’s registration on Sept. 5 while the primary election is set on Sept. 23 which will determine who among the presidential candidates for presidency will face each other in the general elections.The final number of registered voters will be determined after Sept. 5.