The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will lend its social media channels to aspirants for national posts who want to hold online rallies.

The conduct of e-rallies for the 2022 polls is stipulated in Comelec Resolution 10730, or the implementing rules and regulation of Republic Act 9006 or the “Fair Elections Act” in connection with the 2022 polls.

“The Comelec, through the [Education and Information Department], shall provide a platform for the livestreaming of e-rallies of national candidates,” the November 17, 2021 resolution read.

Below are the airtime and the number of slots allotted for each national post:

• President – 10 minutes; 3 slots per night
• Vice president – 10 minutes; 3 slots per night
• Senator – 3 minutes; 5 slots per night
• Party-list group – 3 minutes; 5 slots per night
• Political party – 10 minutes; 3 slots per night

Comelec’s livestream of e-rallies through its social media channels will begin on February 8, 2022, the start of the campaign period, but its Facebook page dedicated to the e-rally was made public on January 13, 2022.

“The Commission will issue the pertinent guidelines on how the candidates and party-list organizations can participate in the e-rally channel,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

The poll body’s efforts to level the playing field for candidates online come as COVID-19 continues to pose risks to physical interactions, thereby complicating candidates’ plans on campaigning. – Rappler.com