Widespread fraud, irregularities and intimidation in Davao province elections

On May 10, our nine-person delegation, which includes members from Canada, the United States, Hong Kong and the Philippines, observed elections in Davao del Sur. We were dismayed at the many examples of voter fraud, voter intimidation, and a variety of irregularities that prevented a free and fair election.

We witnessed blatant disregard for election day protocol on behalf of the military, poll workers and party poll watchers. We were alarmed to witness first hand group voting, poll watchers instructing people how to vote and the overall chaotic and inconsistent nature of the whole process. BEI appeared to be overwhelmed by the number of voters and insufficiently trained in the new voting technology.

Though people were clear excited to exercise their democratic rights on election day, we witnessed how the system failing many of them. For example, despite the best efforts of BEI workers, the sheer volume of eager and enthusiastic voters seemed to overwhelm them. The new voting machines also failed a number times, jammed, rejected ballots and failed to transmit at the end of the day.

We also witnessed that many of the problems that have historically plagued Philippine elections remained. For example, a large number of people reported that candidates engaged in vote buying offering between 30 and 400 pesos for a vote in addition to kilos of rice. The military also campaigned vigorously against party lists and senatorial candidates critical of the current administration. People reported that soldiers made community visits up until the eve of elections to distribute flyers urging people not to vote for partylists criticical of the government. We also observed armed soldiers in the polling area.

As part of the People's International Election Observer Mission comprised of more than 80 people from around the world, visiting 8 provinces in the Philippines, we will be finalizing a report about what we witnessed here in Davao del Sur and the Philippines. Upon returning to our home countries, we will publicize our findings in hopes that both the Filipino and international communities will use the information from our report to create more democratic processes in the future.

People International Observers’ Mission delegates in the Davao Province include: Clarito Arrodonis (USA) Jerry Bollick (USA), Wendell Gumban (Philippines) Lindsey Kerr (USA), Bonnie Ruth Morton (USA) Prof. Suresh Naidu (Canada), Atty. Radhika Sainath (USA), Rogelio Soluta (Philippines) Kai Shing Wong (Hong Kong).