Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Davao: Comelec braces for violent polls (5:45 p.m.)
DAVAO--The Commission on Elections (Comelec) expects an increase in election-related violence in the upcoming synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang elections, barangay elections being historically more violent than regular national and local elections.
"Barangay elections are hotly contested," said Lacsasa Casar, Davao City's 3rd District Election officer in an interview Wednesday.
Casar said that because the candidates in the barangay polls are at most times neighbors, it is inevitable that their paths would cross more often paving way for more confrontation.
Casar added that at times, due to the relatively small areas of concentration, the supporters of rival candidates are subject to more friction with each other.
Moreover, Casar does not discount the possibility of a more aggressive stance of the armed rebel groups in the barangay polls. "But I do encourage them to participate in the elections," Casar added, "through the democratic process." (CPM of Sun.star Davao) |
