Report: Special polls in Lanao Sur off to 'peaceful' start

Amid tight security, special elections in Lanao del Sur province in Mindanao began with a relatively peaceful atmosphere Thursday. Radio dzBB reported there was no untoward incident initially reported after the special polls started at 7 a.m. In Masiu town, one of the areas where the special elections were held, up to 80 percent of voters said they were ready to cast their votes. Police and military units in the area were beefed up to prevent possible violence, the report said. On the other hand, a report by dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. quoted Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina as saying the situation was normal. Municipalities and villages where special elections were held in Lanao del Sur are Lumba Bayabao, Lumbaca Unayan, Marogong, Masiu, Sultan Domalondong, Tubaran, and Bayang. Elections were initially scheduled Friday last week but were rescheduled because Muslims consider Friday to be sacred. The polls were finally rescheduled for June 3. During the May 10 polls, the Comelec declared failure of elections in seven municipalities in Lanao del Sur because teachers there, who were supposed to act as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), did not show up for their poll duties for fear of their lives due to alleged presence of private armed groups. [See: Police trainees to act as BEIs in Lanao Sur special polls] The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had called for special polls in three provinces in Mindanao. [See: Special polls in 3 provinces moved to June 3] Special elections were also conducted in two municipalities of Basilan and in one municipality in Sarangani. In a resolution, the Comelec said that it has rescheduled the elections in seven towns in Lanao del Sur and in barangays Danapah, Kailih, Bato-Bato, Apil-Apil, Bucalao, Sangkahan, Cambug, and Look Bisaya in Al Barka town and barangays Upper and Lower Mahaybahay in Maluso town in Basilan; and Barangay Poblacion in Gian, Sarangani province. About 80,256 votes are expected to be cast during Thursday’s special elections, according to Comelec chairman Jose Melo. — LBG, GMANews.TV