Comelec launches e-rally page for 2022 election candidates

With the campaign period for the 2022 national elections right around the corner, the Commission on Elections has launched an e-Rally channel to provide official candidates a platform to livestream for free.

The streams will be found on Facebook where aspirants for president, vice president, senator, and participating party list organizations can hold e-rallies beginning February 8.

Comelec will release a schedule for each elective position—presidential and VP candidates get three 10-minute time slots while senators and party lists get five three-minute time slots each night.

"This platform can help ensure that even those candidates who have less in followers can still have more in views and exposures, so to speak," spokesperson James Jimenez said.

On the newly launched page, Comelec is now asking for candidates to register their website and/or social media accounts with the poll body until Jan. 31.

In November, the poll body reminded candidates about campaign restrictions for in-person activities. For instance, those below 18 and above 65, as well as persons with comorbidities and pregnant women, are not allowed to join face-to-face rallies, caucuses, meetings, conventions, miting de avance, motorcades, and caravans.

The campaign period for nationally-elected positions will run from Feb. 8 to May 7 while locally-elected positions will run from Mar. 25 to May 7. Voting day is on May 9, 2022.