AMIN calls for early elections in ARMM

Anak Mindanao (AMIN) party-list is set to file a bill in Congress calling for the early elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), including Isabela City in Basilan and Cotabato City.

The conduct of an early elections in the ARMM, Isabela City and Cotabato City will “provide ample time for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to conduct violence-free, honest and credible elections in the various areas of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao including Isabela City in Basilan Province and Cotabato City.”

“The main aim of this proposed measure is to uphold the vote of every voter and not disenfranchised the voters due to perceived electoral violence, such as the Maguindanao Massacre which took the lives of more than sixty (60) innocent lives,” according to the bill’s authors, Rep. Ariel C. Hernandez and Rep. Mujiv S. Hataman.

Hernandez explained that conducting an earlier elections in the ARMM including the cities of Isabela and Cotabato is “a significant step towards realizing our goal for a clean, honest, credible and peaceful elections in our country particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao including the Cities of Isabela and Cotabato City.”

Hernandez noted that electoral fraud during the past two presidential elections were done in the ARMM, particularly in Maguindanao, where innocent civilians, including women and journalists were killed along with politicians who were challenging the ruling Ampatuan clan.

“To avoid a repeat of this incident, which is the worst election-related violence in the history of our country, it is necessary that the COMELEC focuses its attention to the ARMM only and it can do that by conducting elections there ahead of the rest of the country,” he stressed.

Once approved, the measure calls for the adjustment of the election calendar in the ARMM, Isabela City and Cotabato City “to give candidates and the political parties to prepare for their respective campaign activities.”

The measure also gives the COMELEC 15 days “to perform its mandate and provide the general public the outcome of the elections in the area.”

The Provincial Board of Canvassers, composed of 6 members including the president of a State College/University and a representative from each of the ruling majority party and dominant opposition party, is also mandated to canvass the votes of all candidates but shall only proclaim the elected member of the House of Representatives, provincial officials, city officials, and municipal officials.

The winners in the presidential, vice presidential and senatorial race will be proclaimed after the votes from all over the country, including that of the ARMM, Isabela City and Cotabato City, have been canvassed. (PR/AMIN)

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