FOLLOWING are links to articles VERA Files had written on the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Elections in the province of Basilan. VERA Files is reposting these stories in preparation for the scheduled general registration of voters in the provinces of ARMM on July 9 to July 18, 2012.
Closely monitor May 28 special polls, group says • May 21, 2010
WITH the upcoming special elections in 11 areas, a youth group is urging all sectors to continue monitoring the polls, especially in ensuring that all election returns (ERs) be accounted for.
“While these areas are now undergoing or are set to undergo special elections, we call on the public to remain vigilant against election fraud and violence,” Youth Vote Philippines said in a statement.
Other poll watchdog groups and losing candidates have monitored discrepancies in the electronic and printed election results, allowing some to conclude that a “systematic, widespread fraud” took place during the May 10 polls.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), for example, noted differences in the ERs and electronically transmitted data. But PPCRV said the errors showed no pattern of rigging.
Youth Vote Philippines said problems that occurred in the recently held polls can be prevented with continuous and transparent reporting on areas where failure of elections was declared. »Read More
Failure of elections in Iloilo, Samar, Lanao Sur, Basilan towns looms • May 10, 2010
THE Commission on Elections has been asked to declare failure of elections in several towns in Visayas and Mindanao following reported incidents poll violence and ballot switching.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the commissioners will decide later whether to reschedule elections in some towns in Iloilo, Samar, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.
Meanwhile, the Comelec has rejected recommendations to further extend the voting period. Earlier in the day, the Comelec en banc decided to end voting at 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.
Jimenez said there was no reason to extend beyond 7 p.m. since all voters in the vicinity of the polling precinct by the time the polls are scheduled to close will still be entertained. “Extending the closing time also only gives people an excuse to come in late,” he said. »Read More
Election violence persists in post-Akbar Basilan • May 8, 2010
ISABELA CITY, Basilan.—For the first time in years, this island province will experience elections without the charismatic Islamic preacher-turned-politican Wahab Akbar, and people are waiting to see whether the dynasty he left behind will survive his death.
Akbar was a three-term governor who became congressman in 2007, the same year that two of his wives were elected governor of Basilan and mayor of this city and seven other relatives were voted to various positions on the island.
In November 2007, Akbar was killed when a bomb exploded near a vehicle he was in at the House of Representatives.
“This is the first election in the province without Wahab Akbar,” said a businessman here who asked not to be named. “What makes this election interesting is that we want to see if the Akbars can still hold on to power without Wahab.” »Read More
