Culprit of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso, Basilan to face electoral sabotage charges

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The individual behind the pre-shading ballots in 36 polling precincts in Maluso, Basilan is expected to face electoral sabotage charges that may result in life-imprisonment, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body has already identified the culprit but did not go into the details since the matter is under investigation.

"Ang isasampa naming kaso sa kanila hindi 'yung simpleng election offense kundi 'yung electoral sabotage na ang parusa [ay] life imprisonment," Laudiangco told Super Radyo dzBB.

(We will not file a simple election offense but electoral sabotage, which has a penalty of life imprisonment.)

Authorities are also identifying the candidates involved in the pre-shaded ballot incidents, as they may face disqualification.

As of posting time, 36 precincts in Maluso, Basilan are holding the continuation of the elections after new ballots were distributed to electoral board members on early Tuesday morning.

Comelec Chair George Garcia has clarified that the said election will be "just a continuation, not a resetting or postponement" of the voting process.

In a separate Super Radyo dzBB interview on Tuesday, Garcia said proclamation of winners of the BARMM parliamentary elections is expected to begin in the afternoon. — VDV, GMA News