ELECTION watchdogs will be keeping an eye on candidates or their leaders who explicitly intimidate voters to buy and secure votes in the village and youth polls on Monday, May 14.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) in Cagayan de Oro City vowed to keep watch and ensure the whole election process is clean, honest, peaceful and in order.
Robert Villaluz, PPCRV city coordinator, said they will entertain complaints or reports on alleged election offenses and violations such as vote buying, flying voters and other election fraud, manipulation and interference in the election process.
"We will monitor kung naa bay mga flying voters or vote buying kay we are strictly for no vote buying and no to selling of votes," Villaluz said.
The citizen's arm of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be installing an assistance desk in polling centers to aid voters during the election day.
PPCRV's volunteers include church workers in different ministries and parish youth coordinating council of the Archdiocese.
Villaluz also said they will also note reports on poll watchers who will take part in the distribution of ballots.
"I-monitor sad nato kung naa bay mga problema sa ballots like nasulatan na or kung nag-apil og distribute ang mga watchers," he said.
Nestor Banuag Jr., chair of Namfrel-Cagayan de Oro, said their volunteers will also position in various polling places to observe and monitor if there are glitches in the conduct of the election.
Banuag said it is the first time that Namfrel is mobilized in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls, as it is also in preparation for the midterm election next year.
Banuag said the result of the monitoring will be forwarded to Namfrel-Manila.
"Naa ang Namfrel sa mga polling centers mag observe and monitor and among i-report dayon sa Namfrel Manila kay centralized man ang control and monitoring karon," Banuag said.
The poll watchdogs are calling on all candidates to avoid cheating and adhere to all election guidelines, rules and regulations.
Villaluz said whoever will be declared winners should at least console the losing candidates and the latter should likewise extend a hand and congratulate the winners.
"Hinaot nga mga kandidato dili magtanom og dumot kay init ra ba ang barangay election kay managhigala ra paryente ug siligan," Villaluz said.
"Panawagan sad nato sa Comelec nga sampolan ang mga nakasupak sa regulations sa election para makakita nato ang kabag-ohan," he added.