TUBARAN, Lanao del Sur – The special election held in 12 barangays in the municipality of Tubaran in Lanao del Sur on Tuesday (May24) has been described to be generally peaceful.
The special election became necessary after the Commision on Elections declared failure of the May 9 election in these barangays on account of election-related violence.
The security measures put in place were so tight, that security forces were actually deployed around the voting centers which were clustered into three, to ensure that no election-related violence would erupt again.
The precincts were assigned into three clusters, namely, Tangkal Elementary School cluster, Tubaran Proper Elementary School cluster and Buribid Elem. School cluster.
Under Tangkal Elementary School cluster were Barangay Tangkal with 1,834 registered voters; Barangays Datumanong, 715; Guiarong, 408; Wago 412; Bagiangun, 399; Mindamudag, 574, and Paigoay-Pimbataan, 834.
Those under the Tubaran Proper ES cluster were Malaganding with 434 registered voters; and Metadicop, 343.
In custer Buribid ES were barangays Riantaran, 316; Gadongan, 294; and Pagalamatan, 358.
A total of 6,921 voters were registered in these 12 barangays.
The special election's voting process went smoothly. Voters were required to present their voter's ID or voter's certificate before they can enter in their respective polling precincts which was one of the measures implemented to prevent flying voters.
Police officers securing the Tangkal Central Elementary School were seen wearing body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and for monitoring of higher ups.
There were more or less 600 Philippine National Police personnel deployed, 45 of them serving as special board of election inspectors in lieu of public school teachers, said Officer-in-charge Police Provincial Director PCo.l Jibin Bongcayao.
Bongcayao said the special elections in Tubaran were normal and generally peaceful with no untoward incident monitored. He attributed this to the strict implementation of procedures and cooperation of the town’s voters.
Sisters Rainidah and Raihanah Dalidig were happy that finally they were able to cast their votes. "Okay lang po, peaceful naman, okay iyong flow ng election naming," they said.
Meanwhile, 103rd Brigade Commander BGen. Jose Maria R Cuerpo, II was elated over the peaceful result of the election.
“Sila mismo (they themselves) have realized how important it is to be able to vote freely. To be able to choose freely sa magiging leaders nila,” said BGen Cuerpo.
At about 5 O'clock in the morning today (May 25) the winners were finally proclaimed at the Provincial Capitol in Marawi City.
Khaledyassin Dimaporo Papandayan has been re-elected as Mayor of the Municipality of Tubaran. Papandayan is the son of former 2nd District Congressman Mauyag Papandayan.
Out of 6,921 voters, Papandayan garnered 3,049 votes against his opponent Mohàmad Nashif Madki who got 871 votes only.
“To all the winning candidates who will become the next leaders of this province, may they lead with their hearts and minds for the people, especially the Maranaos for the good and development of the province,” said BGen. Cuerpo.