Poll watchdog spearheads voters' education forum in Mindanao

KIDAPAWAN CITY - A poll watchdog in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has spearheaded the ‘Halalang Halal,’ a voters’ education forum that intends to raise awareness about the automated election system (AES). The Halalang Halal — translated as clean elections — is part of the advocacy strategies laid down by the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reforms (Citizens CARE) in monitoring the May 2010 elections, especially in areas where fraudulent elections are likely to happen. Also included in the strategy initiated by the coalition are grassroots or community-based voters’ education forum, including the Pulong Tayo (Let’s Meet) and Ugnayan Tayo (Local Democracy Council Meeting). The Coalition has also spearheaded the Bantay Eleksiyon (Election Monitoring), their strategy for their monitoring of the May 10 synchronized local and national elections with technical assistance from IFES Philippines. Just recently, the coalition has witnessed the signing of a peace covenant among the candidates vying for different positions in Iranun-dominated towns in Maguindanao. The Iranuns inhabited the towns located along the boundary of the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. The signing was held at the municipal plaza of Parang town in Maguindanao. The peace signing, according to the Citizens CARE, will help ensure peaceful and credible elections on May 10. The document also stated, among others, that the candidates will preserve and respect the ongoing peace talks between the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), and avoid relating political issues to negotiations to help establish a neutral political environment. The candidates have also assured they will uphold the freedom of expression and of the press. They also agreed to prevent the use of deadly weapons and armed security personnel to intimidate and harass opposing candidates before, during and after the conduct of elections. Above all, they said, they will respect and obey the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, policies and guidelines of the COMELEC and all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of honest, orderly and peaceful elections. The Citizens CARE stood as one of the non-government organizations (NGOs) that witnessed the historic peace covenant signing. The signing, which was spearheaded by the Comelec, was also witnessed by the general public, civil society organizations, and the 37th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. Also present during the covenant signing were Dr. Steven A. Rood of The Asia Foundation, Commissioner Elias Yusoph of the COMELEC, 6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Anthony Alcantara, and Chief Supt. Bienvenido G. Latag of the Police Regional Office of the ARMM. - GMANews.TV