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Int'l Observers fear that democracy in Lanao del Sur may again be waylaid
Submitted by Raymund Villanueva on Sun, 05/09/2010 - 23:12.
Marawi City-The People’s International Observers’ Mission expressed fear that democracy in Lanao del Sur may again be waylaid after learning from election inspectors that Lanao del Sur precincts still have to receive their compact flash cards a few hours before voting is supposed to start.
In a visit to the office of the provincial election director mission participants also learned that many PCOS machines are still undelivered in many Lanao del Sur municipalities. Nacionalista Party volunteer Aquino Magdalo also revealed that 25 of the 26 PCOS machines delivered to Masiu town failed the tests conducted. Adelaida Ditucalan of Kapamagompong (Convergence) 2010 claimed there is no real democracy in the province in light of these revelations.
“How can we be assured that this year’s elections would be problem free when we have all these problems?” she asked. Ditucalan also complained about the sudden replacement of provincial election director Elias Sharief merely a week before the national and local polls. Atty Rafael Olano is now Lanao del Sur election director. Documents obtained from Comelec Lanao del Sur also revealed that all canvassing in the provinces’ 39 municipalities shall be conducted in this capital city—a huge departure from Commission on Elections procedures.
In Marantao town, pictures of senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza and Pia Cayetano as well as vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda were defaced while their Nacionalista partymates were untouched. This happened a few meters from a police checkpoint.
Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur provincial police director S/Supt. Paniares Undac Adap assured the mission participants that the police is ready to respond to any disturbance during tomorrow’s elections. He revealed that his command has a special force on standby to respond to reports of violence.
Nine foreign participants from Japan, United States of America, Canada and Australia join local observers and volunteers in Kapamagompong 2010.
In a visit to the office of the provincial election director mission participants also learned that many PCOS machines are still undelivered in many Lanao del Sur municipalities. Nacionalista Party volunteer Aquino Magdalo also revealed that 25 of the 26 PCOS machines delivered to Masiu town failed the tests conducted. Adelaida Ditucalan of Kapamagompong (Convergence) 2010 claimed there is no real democracy in the province in light of these revelations.
“How can we be assured that this year’s elections would be problem free when we have all these problems?” she asked. Ditucalan also complained about the sudden replacement of provincial election director Elias Sharief merely a week before the national and local polls. Atty Rafael Olano is now Lanao del Sur election director. Documents obtained from Comelec Lanao del Sur also revealed that all canvassing in the provinces’ 39 municipalities shall be conducted in this capital city—a huge departure from Commission on Elections procedures.
In Marantao town, pictures of senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza and Pia Cayetano as well as vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda were defaced while their Nacionalista partymates were untouched. This happened a few meters from a police checkpoint.Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur provincial police director S/Supt. Paniares Undac Adap assured the mission participants that the police is ready to respond to any disturbance during tomorrow’s elections. He revealed that his command has a special force on standby to respond to reports of violence.
Nine foreign participants from Japan, United States of America, Canada and Australia join local observers and volunteers in Kapamagompong 2010.
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