BANGUED, Abra – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said 250 candidates have withdrawn from the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30 in this province.

Provincial Election Supervisor Mae Richelle C. Belmes said many candidates for SK chairman and SK kagawad or councilor withdrew to avoid disqualification due to relation with incumbent officials within the fourth degree of consanguinity.

Belmes said although there were reports that most of these candidates were “forcibly taken out of the race,” the poll body cannot just file a case without complaints or affidavits.

She said as October 18, 48 candidates for barangay chairman have backed out, 88 for kagawad, 24 for SK chairperson, and 90 for SK council.

The capital town Bangued has highest number of candidates who have withdrawn with 49, followed by Licuaan-Baay with 40, Tineg with 23, Bucay with 17, Lagangilang with 16, Luba with 13, Pidigan with 11, and Pilar with 10.

Boliney, Dolores, Sallapadan, and San Juan have eight bets each, Malibcong with six, Bucloc and San Quintin with five each, Tayum with four, Manabo, San Isidro, and Lacub with three each, and Daguioman, Lagayan, Peñarrubia, Tubo, and Villaviciosa with two each.

Of the 27 towns in Abra, only Danglas, La Paz, and Langiden reported no withdrawal from the polls.

Withdrawals could still rise before the polls because according to Belmes, “unlike in the automated election, Resolution 10924 allows withdrawal even on the day of the election.”

Police have sent 100 more policemen on Monday morning, October 23, to Abra to augment peacekeeping efforts.