Starting today, the carrying of firearms outside home is banned as the 150-day election period officially kicks off.

“What’s important in the election period are two things, mainly the gun ban and the details and movements of civil servants,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said on Saturday.

Under the law, it is prohibited to bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons unless authorized by the Comelec.

The use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, and the organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or other similar forces are likewise not allowed.

 As of January 7, there were 889 “election watch list areas” identified in 1,634 towns and cities in 80 provinces.

The election period also temporarily outlaws the suspension of elective local officials and the transfer, or movement of officers and employees in the civil service.

“What was done to Cebu Gov. [Gwendolyn] Gwen Garcia cannot be done anymore during the election period,” Brillantes said.

In December, the Office of the President suspended Garcia for a period of six months. She was replaced by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Based on Comelec Resolution 9385, the election period for the May 13 midterm elections will be until June 12.

Meanwhile, the lone senatorial candidate of Social Justice Party on Saturday decried the blatant appearances of some senatorial candidates in their political advertisements on major television networks.

Lawyer Samson Alcantara asked the Supreme Court to stop the airing of political advertisements of incumbent officials either seeking reelection, or running for higher office.

Alcantara said that the airing of political advertisements before the campaign period even started tends to circumvent the law on the limitation of airtime to the prejudice of other candidates.

In a seven-page petition, Alcan-tara said that the continued airing of television advertisements of Sen. Alan Peter Cayatano, Representatives Cynthia Villar of Las Piñas City, Juan Edgardo Angara of Aurora province, Juan “Jackie” Ponce Enrile of Cagayan Valley and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito-Estrada of San Juan City; and Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province, undermine the provisions of the Constitution, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and other laws.

“Respondents’ television commercials are obviously intended to enhance their chances in the 2013 midterm elections and through the same they are able to circumvent with impunity and render nugatory the limitations on airtime allotment for candidates during the campaign period,” Alcatara said.

Alcantara, who is also a law professor, said that tolerating these practices would enable these candidates “to consolidate political power in their families, to the great disadvantage of senatorial aspirants like petitioner and in gross violation of the constitutional mandate for the equitable diffusion of political power and against political dynasties.”