Philippines
Comelec mulls declaring failure of election at voting center in Malabang town
Comelec mulls declaring failure of election at voting center in Malabang town
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering declaring a failure of elections at a voting center in Malabang town in Lanao del Sur.
“If ever we would declare a failure of election may be its only for that particular voting center and not for the whole town of Malabang,” said Comelec Chairman Saidamen B. Pangarungan said during a press briefing on Monday, May 9.
“Malabang is the biggest town in the second district of Lanao del Sur,” he noted.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that that a gunfight broke out on Monday inside the a voting center at the Malabang National High School that resulted in the deaths of three persons and the wounding of two others.
Pangarungan said he received reports that voters started running out of the voting center during the gunfight and, during the commotion, a group took advantage of the situation and started filling up the ballots.
"We are still validating that and required the election officer there to submit a formal report and would act on that accordingly,” he said.
On the other hand, Pangarungan said it will be the Comelec en banc that will decide if a failure of election will be declared at the voting center.
"I stated that very clearly na yang failure of election is not an option. But we cannot avoid it,” the chairman said.
Aside from the area in Malabang, Pangarungan said “so far wala ako nakikita na malaking area na ide-declare na failure of election (so far I have not seen a large area where we will have to declare a failure of elections).” Pangarungan said there have no threats from large terrorist groups like the New People’s Army (NPA), Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
“Hindi natin nakita threat na violent acts ng malaking group. Ang nag-penetrate dito ay yun private armed groups ng mga politicians which are considerably smaller. Hindi malaki (There were no violent acts committed by a large group. Only from private armed groups of politicians which are considerably smaller. Not big),” he stated.