BACOLOD CITY, (PNA) -– Despite the early morning shooting in northern Negros Occidental that left two dead, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Negros Occidental reported the barangay elections here had been smooth sailing.
“It has been smooth sailing, there were no major untoward incidents during voting,” Provincial Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez said.
Suarez said the minor complaints are normal during elections.
He echoed the estimate of the COMELEC Region 6 of an 80 percent voter turnout in Western Visayas, saying the same figure is also estimated in Negros Occidental which has 1.6 million registered voters.
Although the actual voting has been generally peaceful, the Monday electoral process was marred by violence after two persons were gunned down at around 6 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion, Toboso town.
Two candidates were identified as among the suspects but the police said they will not declare the incident election-related until they conclude the investigation.
A total 127 barangays in Negros Occidental were listed as election areas of concern, with 33 barangays identified as immediate concerns while 94 barangays, as lesser concerns.