Comelec vows peaceful polls in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY — The Commission on Elections in Eastern Visayas (Comelec-8) has assured the electorate of peaceful elections in the region with three million voters.

Lawyer Rafael Olaño, Comelec-8 said all elections paraphernalia were ready to be delivered to the 3,771 polling centers in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.

The Comelec has classified 11 areas as “red” areas due to either intense political rivalries or presence of armed men, belonging to the New People’s Army and private armed groups.

“We will closely monitor these areas and we are ready to deploy additional troops, if needed, to these areas to ensure that any possible violence would be thwarted,” Olaño said.

Four of the 11 areas are in the town of San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao and San Jorge, and the city of Calbayog in Samar.

The seven others are in the towns of Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Victoria, San Isidro, Biri, Catubig and Silvino Lubos in Northern Samar.

“We are prepared for the elections and have delivered all the election paraphernalia,” Olaño said.

The Philippine National Police has deployed 1,380 personnel, while the Philippine Army has sent 2,000 forces to ensure a peaceful election in Eastern Visayas on Monday.

The police and Army personnel have secured the election paraphernalia at the city and municipal treasurer offices.

The Comelec conducted the final testing and sealing of the vote counting machines on Thursday. Four secure digital cards were found defective and were immediately replaced.

There are 3,391 candidates in the region seeking to fill up 12 congressional posts, six positions for governors and vice governors and seats for board members and councilors in cities and municipalities.

The voters are also to vote for 12 senators and one party-list group.

The polling will run for 12 hours – from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)