Cotabato City: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has directed national candidates and party-list groups to remove campaign posters displayed outside designated common poster areas in the city. In a statement Monday, Dindo Maglasang, acting city election officer, warned candidates and political groups to comply with Comelec Resolution 11086, which prohibits posting campaign materials in unauthorized locations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Maglasang stated, ‘You are hereby directed to take down immediately all your campaign materials posted outside the designated Comelec common poster areas.’ The resolution bans campaign materials in public places, trees, streetlamps, electric posts, and private properties without the owner’s consent.

Maglasang announced that the city Comelec will begin ‘Oplan Baklas’ (Operation Removal) on Feb. 11 to dismantle illegally displayed campaign posters and propaganda materials. The operation will target posters of national, local, and party-list candidates found in unauthorized areas across the city.

The move aims to enforce election laws and ensure a fair and orderly campaign period.