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.