The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has shortened the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) from one month to 11 days.

In an en banc resolution, the Comelec said those planning to run in the May, 2010, National and Local elections may only file their COC’s from November 20 to 30, 2009.

During the 2007 elections, the filing of COC for those running for national posts, including party-list organizations was from January 15 to February 12, 2007. While those running for local government posts that year were given from January 15 to March 29, 2007.

Comelec Spokesman Director James Jimenez said it doesn’t really matter whether the filing period for the COC is short or long, since most of the candidates really don’t file early.

“They file in the latter part of the period so what is the use of the extra 20 days?” he said.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said that they may set the filing of the COC at an earlier period since the country will be using a new system which is automated.

“Since it’s automated we will need more time in preparing the ballots,” he said.

Unlike in the filing of the COC, the poll body made the voting period on May 10 longer from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. The traditional voting period is from 7am to 3pm only.

The Comelec, meantime, set the campaign period for national-level candidates on February 9, 2010 until May 8, 2010 and March 26, 2010 to May 8, 2010 for local candidates.

Election period, however, will be from January 10, 2010 until June 9, 2010 based on the provision of the Omnibus Election Code.

During this time, the commission is prohibiting the alteration of the territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct, the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in public places, suspension of local elective officials and transfer of officers and employees in the civil service, among others.

Voters’ registration is set to end on August 31 among overseas absentee voters while local registrants have until October 31 this year to register.

Overseas absentee voting will begin on April 10, 2010 until election day.