BAGUIO CITY — Almost 90 percent of candidates for various elective positions in this mountain resort city signed a peace covenant upholding the conduct of a clean, honest, orderly and peaceful May 2010 polls.

The signing of the peace covenant was initiated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and influential religious leaders who served as witnesses during the simple ceremonies held in front of the city hall grounds here Monday morning.

Based on Comelec records, there are candidates for congressmen in the city, nine aspirants for city mayor, three contenders for city vice-mayor and 58 individuals contesting the 12 seats in the city council.

Lawyer Julius Torres, Comelec-Cordillera Administration Region regional director, said the signing of the peace covenant in the city is to solicit the support of candidates to make the first automated elections a peaceful one so that the people will trust the outcome of the political exercise.

Because of their participation in the sealing of the peace covenant, the Comelec official pointed out that candidates for elective posts are now banded by their commitment to police their own supporters so that they will not be involved in election fraud that will significantly affect the results of the May 2010 elections.

The local candidates committed to abide by existing rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections and will not employ cheating or other forms of fraud that will curtail the right of the electorate to vote for their choices in the different national and elective positions.

While the city enjoys the reputation of being one of the most peaceful local governments nationwide during the conduct of the elections, Bishop Carlito Cenzon said politicians must be reminded to uphold the conduct of a violent-free campaign in order to maintain the stature of the city as the most peaceful place in the conduct of the polls.

Torres added the local initiatives for politicians to sign the peace covenant is part of the poll body’s effort to bring to the fore awareness among candidates and their supporters that they must abide by the rules and regulations before, during and after the campaign period and the election day itself so that there will be no loss of innocent lives and damage to properties.

The city enjoys the reputation of having candidates without bodyguards and they could freely move around without fear of being hurt by the supporters of their rivals because local residents are known to be peace-loving people unlike in other conflict-stricken places.