The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is prepared for the conduct of special elections in 12 barangays in Lanao del Sur set on May 24, according to poll Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia.
"We are ready for the special election po," he told the Manila Bulletin on Sunday, May 22, when asked about the preparations of the Comelec for the special polls in Lanao del Sur.
Garcia said the Comelec has maximized the contingents of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the said area.
"We have ensured that contingency election paraphernalia are in place," he added.
Moreover, he said that PNP personnel will be deployed as special electoral boards in the 14 barangays in Lanao del Sur.
"The electoral board members and support staff will not be cowed and finally and most importantly, that our electorate will be able to cast their votes on election day," the poll commissioner said.
Recently, the poll body declared failure of elections in 12 barangays in Tubaran town in Lanao del Sur.These are the following barangays: Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-pimbataan, and Metadicop.
The said areas reportedly had election-related violence, threats, and intimidation.
So far, the Comelec en banc, sitting as the national board of canvassers (NBOC), has canvassed 172 out of 173 certificates of canvass (COC).