Friday, May 18, 2007 (Philippines)

Lantawan election officer Entong Musa (left) talks to some staff outside the BSC Student Center (background), where the canvassing of votes was done prior to the grenade explosion that injured a Comelec staff Wednesday night. (Sunnex/Ely Dumaboc) ISABELA CITY, Basilan -- Incumbent Lantawan Mayor Tahira Ismael is calling the top brass of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), particularly Chairman Benjamin Abalos, to step in and fast track the canvassing of votes in her town. Ismael said she suspects there is a grand design to delay the canvassing to rig the election results. Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage [full story]