Muslim NGOs back postponement of August 2011 ARMM polls

Nongovernment Muslim organizations on Monday expressed support for calls to postpone the 2011 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to coincide with the mid-term elections in 2013. The groups said in a statement issued on Monday that "a transition reform government that is appointive is needed now than holding a costly political exercise." Salic Ibrahim, convenor of the Reform ARMM Now (RAN) and executive director of Maranao People’s Development Center, said “We support President Aquino’s call for deferment to install drastic electoral reforms and to focus on the peace process." “Based on studies of past ARMM elections and the May 2010 elections, there is a need for drastic reforms in the electoral process in ARMM before another elections be held," said Ibrahim, also the convenor of the Citizens Consortium on ARMM Reforms in Election (C-CARE), an electoral watchdog. The study was supported by the USAID through the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) in 2010. RAN also cited the need for Comelec to cleanse the voters’ list and conduct a general registration of voters using biometrics systems as a priority electoral reform project for ARMM. “Money earmarked for elections should instead be used for such reform," said Prof. Edgar Ramirez of the Notre Dame University. The group has done several consultations in Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga and Marawi cities before it came up with its position for the postponement of elections. “RA 9054 or the Organic Act of ARMM needs an overhaul and dovetail it to the review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front. Also, talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front need a catch-up plan" said Atty. Leo Lizada of the NGO, Solidarity for Peace and Equity-led Development based in Cotabato city. “Synchronizing elections is a constitutional mandate. It does not violate autonomy provisions as Congress exercises power on setting the date of elections under RA 9054," said Atty. Anwar Malang of the Bangsamoro Lawyers Network (BLN). The group is calling for the appointment of ARMM officials as having holdovers would be unconstitutional due to fixed term limits. “We want the President to have a social contract with the people and those whom he will appoint," said Tarhata Maglangit of the Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum for Peace and Development. The Reform ARMM Now or RAN, is a campaign group created and led by civil society organizations based in Mindanao. The group members include the Bangsamoro Solidarity Movement , Alternative Center for Organizational Reforms and Development, Saligan-Mindanao, Iranun Development Council, Young Maranaos for Peace and Development, Barrios, and Siad in Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional Development. On the other hand, the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform (CITIZENS CARE or C-CARE) is composed of groups seeking reforms in the electoral process in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is an election watchdog and is accredited as the citizen’s arm of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). – GMA News