NegOcc guv renews call for non-violent elections

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson renewed his call on candidates and their followers to avoid violence in today’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

Lacson said he was told by PCol. Leo Pamittan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, that they have not recorded any election-related violent incidents (ERVI) so far.

“I hope we can maintain that,” he said.

On his part, Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said that there are enough security forces available to ensure that the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be peaceful and orderly.

Ananoria also assured teachers serving in the Board of Election Inspectors in hinterland barangays of adequate security, as the assigned police and army personnel will remain there until all votes are counted.

He reminded voters not to sell their votes.

Ananoria also warned those who might engage in vote buying that they have established Kontra Bigay desks all over the province to attend to complaints on vote buying.

Ananoria also urged candidates who may lose in the elections to respect the decision of the people.

Meanwhile, Ananoria said that unlike Negros Oriental, there will be no curfew in Negros Occidental in today’s (October 30, 2023 ) polls

A province-wide curfew was imposed by the Central Visayas Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center in Negros Oriental, starting from 10 p.m. on Saturday to 4 a.m. on Sunday, and again from 10 p.m. on Sunday to 4 a.m. on Monday, election day.

Negros Oriental has been placed under Comelec control due to the spate of violent incidents in the past several months, particularly the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo.

He said that Negros Occidental has 51 barangays categorized as election areas of concern, three of which have been placed under areas of grave concern.

Ananoria said though that the three villages under “red category” have not been placed under Comelec control.

However, he said that the military and police have tightened their monitoring in those areas to discourage those who are planning to disrupt the polls.