‘No campaigning on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday’—COMELEC

Tabuk City, Kalinga — The country’s Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is reminding political candidates, as well as their supporters, to avoid conducting any election-related activities on April 17 (Maundy Thursday) and April 18 (Good Friday) in observance of Holy Week. 

The purpose of the ban is to respect the essence of these aforementioned religious events. 

Under COMELEC’s Resolution No. 10999, as cited by the agency on its Facebook, campaigning on these sacred days is prohibited, and those who are caught violating this prohibition may face legal consequences.

Under sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code, political candidates who violate the ban may face imprisonment ranging from one to six years, disqualification from holding public office, and loss of voting rights.    

“COMELEC Resolution No. 10999 provides that campaigning on these dates is prohibited. Any election campaign or partisan political activity for or against any candidate outside of the campaign period is prohibited and shall be considered an ELECTION OFFENSE punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code,” the agency wrote in its Facebook post. 

The significance of the ban on Holy Week 

Tradition tells us that Maundy Thursday (commemorates the Last Supper) and Good Friday (commemorates the crucifixion of the son of God, Jesus Christ) are dedicated to reflection, prayer, and solemn remembrance of the “ Passion of Christ.”   

The COMELEC, on the other hand, stresses that campaigning during this time shows a lack of respect for the significance of these sacred days, hence the ban. 

Working alongside law enforcement agencies, the COMELEC actively monitors and enforces this ban. Political aspirants and their supporters are reminded to adhere to the ban to preserve the integrity of the electoral process and honor the nation’s religious traditions.