Violence

Poll violence

February 14, 2022 People's Tonight 435 views

IT is heartening to know that the government, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is closely watching a number of towns and cities for election-related security concerns.

Note that the official campaign period for national candidates, like presidential, vice presidential and senatorial hopefuls, started last February 8, which is 90 days before May 9.

The country’s more than 60 million registered voters, many of them youngsters, troop to the polls anew on this day to elect new national and local government officials.

For local candidates – district congressmen, governors, vice governors, board members, mayors, vice mayors and councilors – the campaign period begins on March 25.

Official police and Commission on Elections (Comelec) records show that local elections are bloodier than national polls.

Election observers and analysts attributed this to the fact that many local candidates are close relatives, neighbors, friends, former political allies and other acquaintances.

“Mas mainit ang politika sa kanayunan kasi marami sa mga kandidato sa pagka-alkalde at konsehal ay mga magkakamag-anak at magkakapit-bahay,” a village official said.

In fact, even brothers, sisters, cousins and in-laws are pitted against each other,” the barangay official said, adding “talagang walang bigayan dahil lahat ay gustong manalo.”

But we commend our Comelec, military and police officials for doing a great job in ensuring the holding of peaceful, orderly, honest and credible elections in the country.

Besides, these public servants are supposed to be non-partisan during national and local elections.

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