Manila, Philippines- The Commission on Election (Comelec) wants to require candidates running for positions in the 2025 National and Local Elections to submit a photo that will be use in campaign materials.
According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, the photo must be taken six months before the submission of candidacy.
READ: COMELEC PROPOSES RESTRICTION USING AI IN MIDTERM ELECTION 2025
If a candidate fails to submit a photo, Comelec will declare the campaign materials illegal and the candidate may face penalties.
“Non-compliance will merit the declaration that these are illegal campaign materials carrying with it appropriate sanctions against the candidate/s. Take note and very important, this is not a requirement for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC), (which require passport size photographs of candidates) but a requirement for the conduct of the campaign,” he added.
The filing of candidacy will open from October 1 to October 8, 2024.
The campaign period for the national election will start on February 11 and end on May 10, 2025, lasting 90 days. For the local election, campaigning will officially begin on March 28 and end on May 10, 2024, 45 days before the polls.
In related news, Garcia recommended to the Commission en Banc the formation of the Committee on Environmentally Sustainable Elections.
This committee will ensure that the materials used in campaigns are environmentally friendly.