The gun ban and other prohibited acts in the six provinces comprising ARMM such as suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officials also take effect today, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. Also barred are the transfer or detail of officials and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers.

The Comelec, led by retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Jose A.R. Melo as chairman, said prospective candidates have a total of eight days or up to May 20, 2008 to file their candidacy personally or by his duly authorized representatives. "No certificate of candidacy shall be accepted if filed by mail, telegram, or facsimile," the Comelec said.

The positions at stake in the ARMM polls are regional governor and vice governor and the members of the Regional Assembly representing various legislative districts in the six provinces comprising the Muslim region. The six ARMM provinces are Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Those running for regional governor and vice governor can file their CoCs with the regional election director in either Region 9 or 12, and those for regional assemblymen with the provincial election supervisor of the legislative district concerned.

The Comelec warned that no person shall be elected ARMM official unless he files a certificate of candidacy in the form prescribed by the poll body and within the prescribed period.