The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will ask President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare Nov. 3 this year as holiday in connection with the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Nov. 2.

According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, they will request the Chief Executive to declare the particular day a holiday for the voters, especially those who will go to their provinces to be able to vote on the day of election.

“The Comelec will request the President to consider declaring November 3 a holiday. Since November 1 is All Saints’ Day, many of our fellow citizens will be traveling to their hometowns,” he said in an interview.

“However, if there is work or school on November 3, they might rush back from the provinces on November 2 and fail to vote at their polling precincts.”

He noted that declaring Nov. 3 a holiday will give people an extra day and will not rush back to work.

“They could travel back on that day instead, ensuring that they can cast their votes on November 2,” Garcia said.

The Comelec will be holding the BSKE in November where regular voters 18-years-old and above will vote for the new set of leaders in their area, including a barangay chairman and councilors.

Filipino youth aged 15-17, on the other hand, will elect a new SK leader and councilors. (PNA)