Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to conduct mock polls in 15 areas across the Philippines later this month as part of the preparations for the upcoming midterm elections next year. The announcement was made by Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco during a briefing at Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday. Laudiangco emphasized that the mock elections are scheduled to take place by the end of December and will involve the participation of actual members of the Electoral Boards and registered voters.

According to Philippines News Agency, the primary aim of these mock polls is to assess the general conduct of the automated elections across various regions of the country. The exercise will be carried out in 30 barangays located in 15 cities and municipalities across five provinces, Metro Manila, and the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In Metro Manila, the mock polls will take place in Barangays San Pedro and Santa Ana in Pateros; Barangays Usu
san and Pinagsama in Taguig City; and Barangays Poblacion and Pio del Pilar in Makati City. Meanwhile, in the Mountain Province, the activities will occur in Barangays Poblacion and Guinaang in Bontoc, and Barangays Poblacion and Angkeling in Sagada.

Other areas participating in the mock polls include Barangays Dela Paz and San Juan in Antipolo City and Barangays Special District and Bagumbong in Jala-Jala, Rizal. In the Visayas region, Barangays Taboc and San Gabriel in Borongan City, and Barangays Poblacion 9 and Maslog in Lawaan, Eastern Samar, are included.

In Mindanao, the mock polls will be held in Barangays Washington and San Isidro in Surigao, and Barangays Central and Anislagan in Placer, Surigao del Norte. Additionally, Barangays Walled City and Bus-Bus in Solo, and Barangays Taglibi and Anuling in Patikul, Sulu, will participate. The Bangsamoro region will see mock polls conducted in Barangays Batulawan and Fort Pikit in Malidegao, and Barangays Pedtad and Tamped in Old Kaabakan.