The Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed Cotabato City and Maluso, Basilan under Comelec control on Monday following separate reports of election violence and irregularities during the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
Comelec said voting materials in Maluso were compromised after election officials discovered pre-shaded ballots in 36 of the town’s 69 precincts.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia ordered the use of the affected ballots stopped and directed that replacements be printed, resulting in delays in voting in the concerned precincts.
In Cotabato City, authorities tightened security after a series of explosions and shooting incidents before and during election day left three people dead and at least 20 others injured.
One shooting occurred shortly after voting began at Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School in Barangay Poblacion 6 at around 6:45 a.m.
Three people were wounded in the incident, including a member of the PNP Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 who was hit in the foot.
Police said several armed men opened fire near the polling area, prompting voters to flee and security personnel to immediately secure the vicinity.
Members of the Quick Reaction Force cordoned off the site while the injured were brought to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center for treatment.
Cotabato City police chief Col. Jibin Bongcayao said investigators were looking into the possibility that the attack was intended to intimidate voters and disrupt the electoral process.
Placing an area under Comelec control gives the poll body broader authority to direct and coordinate security operations with law enforcement agencies to protect voting and canvassing activities.
