Synchronized elections generally peaceful in Leyte
Tacloban City (October 30) -- The synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections held yesterday was generally peaceful in all the municipalities of the province of Leyte.
No untoward incidents were reported and except for some difficulties in finding their respective precincts, no problems were reported.
It appears that the Sangguniang Kabataan elections is more contested as reports of young voters being kept in secret places, allegedly by some SK Chairman candidates, have been received as early as Sunday.
Reports of vote buying have also been received and it was observed that the money involved in the case of the Sangguniang Kabataan candidates was even higher than that of the Barangay candidates.
Among some of the reports received by the Municipal Comelec Officers is the presence of some barangay officials in the polling places even after they have voted.
Another report was that some watchers observed the use of carbon papers by some voters. This was immediately reported to the teachers in charged of the precinct and this was immediately stopped.
Counting started promptly in many precincts. Early reports showed that few of the ballots were marked.
Police chiefs in several towns in Leyte who were interviewed by PIA are grateful that the elections turned out to be peaceful. They are not however, lying low in their vigilance until all the ballots are counted in all their respective areas of jurisdiction. (PIA 8) [top]
