MANILA, (PNA) — As the 2013 barangay polls has come to a close, a Palace official urged the public to be vigilant in guarding its votes.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma Jr. said Monday’s elections went peacefully amid reports of ballot snatching and some election-related violent incidents in some areas.
“Nanawagan kami sa sambayanan na ipagpatuloy ang pagmamasid at pagtutok sa bilanganan ng boto upang matiyak na magiging ganap ang tagumpay ng halalang ito bilang proseso sa pagpili ng mga karapat-dapat mamuno at manungkulan sa mga barangay na siyang pundasyon ng demokrasya,” he said.
Coloma said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was able to prepare for these incidents as the poll body had reserved improvised ballots in precincts to ensure that the voting process pushed through.
Citing police reports, Coloma said there are 64 election-related violent incidents reported which is relatively lower than the 2010 barangay polls.
In critical areas such as in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Coloma said so far, they have not received reports of violent incidents particularly in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao which are known elections hotspots.
“Umaasa tayong wala nang gaanong magiging problema sa bilangan ng mga balota, bagama’t patuloy na nakaantabay ang pamahalaan. Maaaring makita ng mamamayan ang malinaw na resulta ng halalan hanggang bukas,” he said.
In Monday’s barangay polls, eight were declared nuisance candidates by the poll body, 300 candidates were not registered while three to four were criminally convicted, Coloma said, citing Comelec records.
Coloma said according to the poll body, the proclamation of winning candidates will be until November 30.