The Commission on Elections has placed Cotabato City and Maluso, Basilan in the Bangsamoro Region under its control following incidents of election-related violence and compromised ballots.
This was announced by Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia during an inspection of a polling center in Cotabato City early Monday morning.
“Kanina lang ay nagdesisyon ang en banc ilagay ang Cotabato City under Comelec control. Ito po at dahil sa mga pangyayari kagabi tulad ng una - 'yung pagpapaputok, 'yung pangalawa 'yung pagsabog na ang nabiktima yung mismong may dala ng pampasabog," he said.
Twin explosions transpire in Cotabato City ahead of BARMM polls; 1 wounded
BARMM polls to push through as scheduled after explosions in Cotabato City
The poll body will designate an administrator of Cotabato City.
Garcia said the Commission en banc placed Maluso in Basilan City under Comelec control after it discovered pre-shaded ballots that compromised its integrity.
“Inilalagay din namin under Comelec control ang Maluso, Basilan. We determined as of last night, compromised 'yung 36 of the 68 precincts na mga balota. Nalaman natin na ito lahat ay na-pre-shade…as to kung sino nag-pre-shade alam na namin,” he told reporters.
The poll body has ordered the reprinting of ballots for Maluso, with the Comelec chief noting that ballots for the other precincts were not compromised.
There will be no declaration of failure of election in Maluso since a contingency plan is already in place, he said.
Those found guilty of tampering with the ballots will be held accountable.
“Hindi namin kayo patatawarin regardless of your position. Alam na alam ‘nyo number n'yong accountable 'yung balota and therefore, pag kinompromisyo n'yo 'yan, kinompromiso niyo ang ang karapatan ng mga mamamayan. Ang importante dapat may mananagot. 'Yan po ay isang election offense at ito ay tinitingnan natin kung puwedeng ma-clasify as an electoral sabotage also. Non-bailable po yun,” Garcia said.
Authorities also found an improvised explosive device in Basilan, which was detonated safely under controlled conditions.
Garcia said incidents of election-related violence disrespect the rights of the Bangsamoro people to choose their leaders.
“Napopoot kami, nagagalit dahil dito sa ganitong klase ng pangyayari, sapagkat hindi nila nirespeto na maliban sa ito’y kauna-unahan sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa….para pong dinungisan nila yung napakalinis na paghahanda nitong ating halalan,” he said.
More than 2 million registered voters are set to vote in the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections on Monday. Voters will elect 80 members of Parliament including 40 party representatives, 32 district representatives and 8 sectoral representatives.