Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in the Negros Island Region (NIR) is continuing its preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for December, despite the uncertainty surrounding a bill that proposes its postponement. The decision now lies with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has yet to either approve or veto the bill.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano stated that while the registration of voters, originally planned for July 1 to 11, has been deferred, other preparatory activities are ongoing. These include the inventory and procurement of yellow ballot boxes. Castillano noted that the 'enrolled bill' advocating for the postponement of the 2025 BSKE has successfully passed through both houses of Congress and is currently awaiting the President's action. Marcos has a 30-day window to make a decision regarding the bill.

In anticipation of the President's decision, the poll body is proactively continuing with the inventory and preparation of the yellow ballot boxes to avoid being unprepared if the election proceeds as scheduled. The procurement process for additional yellow ballot boxes is in progress; however, the contract will not be awarded until the President makes a decision.

Castillano mentioned that Comelec is considering the last week of October, post the BARMM parliamentary elections, for the registration of voters for the BSKE. In preparation for the elections, regardless of their timing, Comelec plans to increase the number of clustered precincts, limiting each to 400 voters. This marks a change from the May 12 mid-term polls where each precinct accommodated 1,000 voters.