Makabayan senatorial candidate Amirah “Mek” Lidasan was not able to vote after finding out that her name was not in the list of voters at her designated polling precinct.
The Moro candidate discovered her name was no longer included in the list after arriving at the Matanog Central Elementary School in Matanog, Maguindanao – the same precinct where she successfully cast her vote during the 2022 election.
“Maraming karaniwang botante ang nakakaranas nito. Kailangang panagutin ang sistemang elektoral na umiiral at siguraduhing nagsisilbi ito para sa mamamayan – hindi laban sa kanila,” she said.
Lidasan said this was not an isolated case, adding that her experience only demonstrated the lapses in the electoral process which leads to the disenfranchisement of a lot of voters – specifically, those that live in far-flung areas and marginalized communities like the Moros and indigenous peoples.
Insistent on exercising her right to vote, Lidasan sought the assistance of the Board of Election Inspectors and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Office in Matanog, both of which offered no solution to her problem.
Persevering, Lidasan went back to her previous precincts upon the recommendation of poll watchers until she ultimately tracked her name at the Krislam Ville Elementary School in Cotabato City – 50 kilometers, or an hour-long trip, from Matanog.
“Paano na lang kung hindi nagpursige ang botante na hanapin ang pangalan nila? Paano kung walang rekurso na pumunta sa ibang presinto at maghanap? O kapos na sa oras para makaboto bago ang 7 PM na pagsasara ng botohan?,” Lidasan said.
Lidasan said what happened to her was alarming. “Dapat ay makapagpaliwanag agad ang Comelec. Ang boto ko at bawat boto ng mamamayang Pilipino ay dapat na protektado at pinahahalagahan,” she declared.
