THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be held on Nov. 2 using a fully manual system. ​The commission noted that no major technological upgrades will be implemented as it aims for stricter measures against vote-buying and other violations. ​Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said voters will again write candidates’ names on ballots, which will be counted and canvassed by hand at the precinct level. Unlike national elections, results will not be electronically transmitted and may be proclaimed within the villages. ​”There may be no major technological innovations to be seen,” Garcia said. ​He clarified that Congress, not Comelec, set the election date. ​”Whether it is appropriate or not, Comelec is bound to follow Nov. 2,” he added. ​Ballot printing has been completed, while verification is ongoing. ​Voter registration runs until May 18, with no extension planned. So far, about 3 million applications have been recorded. ​The Comelec expects around 73 million voters nationwide, including 25 million SK voters. ​Garcia said the manual setup also means stricter rules on campaigning. Candidates are considered official upon filing their certificates of candidacy, making early campaigning punishable. ​”If they start campaigning early, they can be disqualified and charged with an election offense,” he said. ​With no new technology in place, Comelec will intensify its “Kontra Bigay” campaign against vote-buying, including monitoring suspicious cash distribution, e-wallet transfers and the use of government aid for political gain. Authorities may also conduct warrantless arrests of offenders caught in the act. ​”These funds do not belong to candidates. Using public money for political gain is even more offensive,” Garcia said. ​Campaign spending is capped at P3 per voter, and candidates’ statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) will be published online through the e-SOCE platform. ​Garcia said vote-buying and misinformation remain the biggest threats, noting that stronger laws are needed to regulate social media during elections. ​He urged voters, especially the youth, to choose leaders wisely. ​”Vote according to your conscience and judgment — not because of influence or favors,” he said. “The ballot is the answer.”