Philippines: Asian observers says election plagued with problems and an environment marred by intimidation, threats, violence

Preliminary Statement of Asian Foreign Election Observers on the Mission in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

COTABATO CITY — The twenty one observers from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) have completed their election observation mission and study of the Philippines? electoral system and process. Observers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand spent eight days observing the pre-election situation and Election Day throughout the six provinces of the ARMM, visiting more than 500 precincts. We observed the preparations for the elections at the local level, and the situation before election day by interviewing candidates, election and other government officials, nongovernment organizations, and citizens. We then observed election day, up to the counting of ballots.

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Observers to Philippines president: Vibrant democracy should allow progressive party-lists to flourish

MANILA — As the canvassing of party-list votes start today, the Peoples International Observers Mission (IOM) Manila team raised concerns that the hundreds of deactivated voters in the urban poor communities of Tondo are a lot of votes lost by the progressive party-list groups.
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Filipinos’ higher vigilance needed as GMA makes phone calls and reports of ER theft and switching are abound

manila — Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that all efforts must be exerted to ensure that Malacanang will not be able to sneak in more of its Team Unity candidates in the Top 12 through cheating. Beltran said that it was already clear that Malacanang is machinating to have Genuine Opposition candidate Alan Peter Cayetano dropped from the winners’ circle by having votes for him invalidated on the grounds of a paltry legal technicality.

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Continue ReadingFilipinos’ higher vigilance needed as GMA makes phone calls and reports of ER theft and switching are abound