The Commission on Elections has placed Cotabato City and the municipality of Maluso in Basilan under its control following violence and serious disruptions surrounding the first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
The move gives Comelec greater authority over election operations in the two areas as officials work to protect voters, secure election materials and preserve the integrity of the historic vote.
The decision came after separate incidents raised concerns about the safety of voters and the credibility of the electoral process.
Violence triggers Cotabato City takeover
Cotabato City was placed under Comelec control after violence erupted in the area during the elections.
Several shooting incidents were reported, including an attack at a polling site that left people dead and others wounded.
The violence prompted authorities to increase security around voting centers and other election-related facilities.
Comelec’s decision effectively places election operations in the city under the direct supervision of the commission rather than leaving them solely to local authorities.
The move is intended to prevent further disruption and ensure that voters can participate without intimidation or fear.
Maluso faces ballot controversy
The situation in Maluso was different but equally serious.
Election officials discovered pre-shaded ballots involving 36 polling precincts, preventing the affected voting materials from being safely used.
More than 16,000 ballots were reportedly affected.
Comelec ordered replacement ballots to be prepared and transported to Basilan, while voting in the affected areas was moved to Sept. 15.
The commission has warned that those responsible for the pre-shaded ballots could face an electoral sabotage case.
Investigators are expected to determine who had access to the ballots, when they were shaded and whether the incident was an attempt to manipulate the election.
Replacement voting set in Maluso
Because the compromised ballots could not be used, Comelec arranged for new voting materials to be delivered to Maluso.
The additional arrangements were designed to ensure that voters would not lose their right to participate simply because of the ballot problem.
The commission also prepared to extend voting hours where necessary to compensate for delays.
The incident nevertheless created uncertainty for thousands of voters and became one of the most serious logistical problems reported during the first BARMM parliamentary elections.
Election already marred by violence and irregularities
The takeover of the two areas came as the historic election faced a series of other problems.
Election watchdogs reported concerns involving assisted voting, ballot handling and alleged partisan activity inside polling areas.
Violence also broke out in parts of Cotabato City, while security incidents and other disruptions were reported elsewhere in the region.
Despite these incidents, Comelec maintained that the overall election remained largely peaceful and that voting proceeded in most areas.
The commission’s actions in Cotabato City and Maluso reflect the need to deal with problems individually while keeping the broader electoral process running.
Why Comelec control matters
Placing an area under Comelec control allows the commission to exercise greater authority over election personnel, security coordination and other aspects of the electoral process.
It is an extraordinary measure generally used when local conditions threaten the orderly conduct of an election.
In the case of Cotabato City, the immediate concern was violence.
In Maluso, the focus was the integrity of election materials.
Together, the two cases highlight the different security and administrative challenges confronting the Bangsamoro polls.
A historic vote under intense scrutiny
The election is the first regular parliamentary vote in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and marks a major step in the region’s transition from an interim government to an elected parliamentary system.
Nearly 2.4 million registered voters are choosing representatives to an 80-seat parliament.
The new legislature will eventually select the BARMM chief minister and take responsibility for regional legislation and governance.
The election is therefore seen as a crucial test of the peace process that created the autonomous region.
But the violence in Cotabato City and the ballot controversy in Maluso have placed additional pressure on Comelec to demonstrate that the election can withstand attempts to disrupt or manipulate the vote.
With Comelec now directly overseeing both areas, authorities face a critical task: securing the remaining voting process while ensuring that every legitimate ballot is protected and every reported violation is properly investigated.
Leave a Reply