Comelec: First BARMM parliamentary elections generally peaceful

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was general peaceful, describing the incidents of violence as isolated cases.

In a radio interview, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said several groups also had the same assessment.

"Nagkapare-pareho po ang Comelec, PNP, pati na rin po ang Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and National Board of Governors ng assessment na talagang generally peaceful," Laudiangco told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Comelec, the Philippine National Police, as well as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the National Board of Governors have the same assessement that the BARMM polls is generally peaceful.)

"Talagang may nangyari serye ng karahasan, pananakot, kaguluhan pero not witstanding that, yan po ay isolated incidents," he added.

(There is a series of violence, threats, and disorder, but not withstanding that, these are isolated cases.)

Voter turnout

Laudianco said the first BARMM parliamentary elections had an 80% voter turnout and the poll body is checking if it could go higher.

In a separate dzBB interview, Comelec chairperson George Garcia attiributed the 80% voter turnout to the firm resolve of voters in the region to cast their votes.

"Kahit na may ilang karahasan, hindi nagpatinag ang mga kababayan natin sa Bangsamoro. Kahit na may nagkaroon ng putukan, talagang pagkatapos na dumireto pa rin sila sa presyento at bumoto," Garcia said.

(Although there were violence, our countrymen in the Bangsamoro remain steadfast. Despite the shootings, voters still cast their votes after.)

The Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) on Monday said there were 16 election-related incidents in the BARMM elections.

"Regionwide, we have 16 election-related incidents. Kabilang na yung (This includes) shooting incidents, trapping incidents and explosion incidents," PRO BAR regional director Police Brigadier General Christopher Abecia said during a press briefing at the Comelec Command Center in Cotabato City. — RSJ, GMA News