Voting in some barangays in Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), Maguindanao del Norte was delayed after a candidate and his supporters blocked the transport of ballots to the polling places.
The reason is that they do not want teachers and local government employees to serve as electoral board members.
According to DOS Vice Mayoralty Candidate Datu Bobsteel Sinsuat, they blocked the transport of ballots from DOS municipal hall to different polling precincts because they want police officers to serve in the election.
By 10: 00 am, voting had not yet started because their requests had not been granted.
Sinsuat stated that they do not trust the electoral board members because only a few of them are actual teachers, while most are volunteers.
As a result, Sinsuat’s group blocked the exit of the town hall to intercept the vehicle carrying soldiers bringing the ballots.
On the other side of the town hall, supporters of the opposing political group are demanding that the ballots be released and transported to the precincts.
Maguindanao del Norte Election Officer Mohammad Mutia and Provincial Police Director Col. Ryan Paloma intervened in the situation to ease the tension.
It was around 10:20 in the morning when the ballots were finally transported to the precincts. Around 800 soldiers police and soldiers provided security to the ballots.
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte has been placed under Comelec control due to election-related violence.
It can be recalled that on March 26, the election officer of DOS, Atty. Maceda Lidasan Abo, and his husband were shot dead by unidentified suspects in Barangay Makir in the said town.
(BNFM Cotabato)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.