22 foreign observers expected for ARMM polls; none from USA
By Jeoffrey Maitem
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 17:16:00 08/02/2008
COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao -- At least 22 observers from various parts of Asia will arrive in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to monitor the conduct of the first automated elections in the country, the Commission on Elections said Saturday.
James Jimenez, Comelec spokesperson, told the Inquirer by phone that the foreign monitors were from the Asean Network for Free Elections (Anfrel).
Jimenez said Anfrel members from Cambodia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka will go to the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi, Lanao Del Sur, and Marawi City to monitor the polls on August 11.
But he said they were informed that Washington was not sending any monitors.
"This time, there will be no US observers. I don't know the reason," Jimenez said.
Washington sent monitors for the 2005 regional elections, which was marked by violence in some areas.
Asked if the situation in some parts of Mindanao, including the kidnappings in Sulu, had prompted the US government not to send observers, Jimenez said, "Anything is possible."
The US Embassy in Manila has been warning Americans against traveling to Mindanao.
Jimenez said the safety of the foreign observers was one of the priorities of the Comelec.
"Of course we will provide them with security. I'm not just sure if their escorts will be coming from Manila or there in Mindanao," he said.
Jimenez also said that all systems were go for the regional elections despite efforts in Congress to postpone the balloting.
He said unless a new law is passed, the elections will definitely push through.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo endorsed the postponement of the elections during a recent visit here.
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