Groups call for end to violence amid BARMM parliamentary polls

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Two non-partisan groups have called for an end to violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) amid its first parliamentary elections on Monday.

In a joint statement, the Technical Assessment Mission of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) expressed concern over what they described as a “rapid and widespread escalation of violence” surrounding the BARMM elections.

“We urgently call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, refrain from any further acts of violence, and allow the people of the Bangsamoro to freely participate in the region’s historic first elections,” ANFREL and NDI said.

The groups also called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other concerned security agencies to provide timely and regular updates on the conditions in affected areas.

“The public should be clearly informed whether voting can safely continue, what measures are being taken to protect voters, Electoral Board members and support staff, and what arrangements are being made for voting centers affected by delays or disruptions,” ANFREL and NDI said.

Based on the Comelec’s latest count, four people had been killed and 19 others injured in election-related incidents in BARMM.

Three of those killed were victims of a shooting at the Datu Usman Mampen school site in Barangay Bagua 2, Cotabato City. The incident also left 15 people wounded.

One person was killed and three others wounded after violence erupted at the Pilot Central Elementary School in Cotabato City, as supporters of rival parties traded accusations of election-related violence.

Another person was injured after an improvised explosive device he was carrying exploded.

BARMM held its first parliamentary elections on Monday, September 14, with 2.393 million registered voters.

According to the Comelec, the transmission of partial and unofficial results of the BARMM polls would begin after the closing of polls at 7 p.m. and the printing of the first nine copies of the election returns.— MCG, GMA News