Thursday, August 14, 2008 AFP: Sulu election peaceful and orderly
THE military command in Sulu affirmed Wednesday that its peace and order missions in the recently held Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) elections were accomplished.
Major General Juancho Sabban, chief of the Joint Task Force Comet (JTFC), said the absence of major election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) and the positive turnout of voters corroborated that the election in the province of Sulu is peaceful and successful.
"The Armm elections in Sulu were held without any incident that derails the process. There were no reports of ballot-box snatching," Sabban said.
"There was public obedience in the government's strict enforcement of the gun ban while politicians had exercised a high degree of decorum," he added.
Sabban made the statement despite three barangays were identified as areas of immediate concern and 177 barangays as areas of concern in the island province of Sulu.
The province of Sulu, which comprises of 19 municipalities with 410 barangays, has a total number of 280,527 registered voters.
Aside from Sulu, Armm comprises of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Tawi-Tawi.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier said that the voters turned out to the automated voting machines in droves because of its information campaign on the use of the new technology.
The Armm polls are actually a significant milestone in the electoral reforms as it was the first fully automated elections held in the country.
However, Sabban said the success is not only credited to the resolve and unity of efforts between the Comelec and the government security forces towards the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible election.
Sabban said the people also deserve high praise for the serene and peaceful climate during the voting process.
The people had evidently answered the call for vigilance and cooperation against all forms of violence and lawlessness, according to Sabban.
"We appreciate their cooperation and vigilance that helped us in the defense of their votes," he said.
He said that as Suluanos went to the polls to cast their votes, an immense achievement ushered in.
Aside from the mature manner devoid of intimidation or interference, Sabban said Sulu was able to prove that it is a place where true democracy can be exercised, and equal rights for all can be assured.
"Let's celebrate at the outcome of the elections in an atmosphere of peace. With or without elections, violence and public disturbance must not be allowed to dampen our peaceful and democratic credentials. Our unity in purpose in moving along the path of peace must transcend beyond elections," he said. (BPG)
