THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared failure of elections in several clustered precincts in 14 barangays scattered in three municipalities of Lanao del Sur and has set special elections soon.
In its Resolution No. 22-0648, the Comelec en Banc adopted the recommendation of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Election Director Ray Sumalipao to declare failure of polls in 47 clustered precincts with a total voting population of 8,295.
“The Commission resolves to adopt, with modification, the recommendation (to) declare the failure of elections in the foregoing areas in accordance with the provision of the Omnibus Election Code,” the Comelec said.
In his memorandum, Sumalipao said failure of elections should be declared in clustered precincts in Barangay Ragayan in the town of Butig after the official ballots were stolen.
The military failed to retrieve the ballots.
Sumalipao said one policeman was also stabbed while protecting the vote counting machines (VCMs).
He said failure of elections should also be declared in clustered precincts in Brangay Pindolonan in Bindayan due to violence that resulted in damage to VCMs and official ballots.
Sumalipao also said it is necessary to declare failure of polls in the clustered precincts of Barangays Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-Pimbataan, and Metadicop in Tubaran where elections were attended by violence, threats, and intimidation.
“(There will be a) conduct of special elections in Brgy. Ragayan, Butig; Brgy. Pindolonan, Binidayan; and the involved barangays in Tubaran on May 15, 2022 or on a date that the Honorable En Banc deems proper,” said the poll body.
It said this is in order to ensure that all available votes will be cast and counted.
“Considering that the election for local positions in the concerned municipalities may still be affected by the number of registered voters in the above precincts, and so as not to
disenfranchise the voters in the foregoing locations,” said the Comelec.
The Commission assigned personnel of the PNP to serve as members of the Electoral Boards for the special elections, and delegated Sumalipao to supervise the special polls.
