Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 1) — Outside of reported unrest that marred polls in the Basilan area, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) was “generally peaceful” nationwide.
\”Barring violence in the Bangsamoro area, PPCRV volunteers numbering 200,000 across the country, observed the recently concluded BSKE 2023 to be orderly and peaceful,\” the church-based poll watchdog said in a statement.
It added that the counting of BSKE votes was also done on good terms.
The PPCRV admired as well the strong police presence in polling places to maintain peace and order, but stressed that political violence remained heated between opposing bets, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
As of Oct. 30, 11 were wounded following six shooting incidents recorded across the Bangsamoro region.
READ: BSKE voting now closed, but several incidents reported
The poll watchdog also said there were some poll irregularities recorded including \”fake voters,\” with some voters arriving to find that another person had already voted for them.
It added that vote-buying had progressed rampantly from retail acquisition to groups, even at the family and barangay level.
Mall voting
Mall voting were also smoothly conducted, according to the PPCRV, recommending it be pursued on a national level to increase the number of participating malls.
The call was supported by the Commission on Elections as it earlier planned to have more mall precincts and a \”special general registration\” for the next polls to improve the voting experience of Filipinos.
\”Access to parking, in-house security and the convenience and comfort of air conditioning were benefits appreciated by mall voters,\” the PPCRV said.
READ: Comelec wants mall precincts, ‘special general registration’ for next polls
As of Oct. 31, the Comelec said voter turnover covering 11 participating malls were 65.32% and 63.34% for village and youth polls, respectively.
