Comelec probes alleged pre-shaded BARMM ballots

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will investigate allegations of pre-shaded ballots and other irregularities raised in two election protests involving elected members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the protests concern two elected parliamentary members in Maguindanao del Norte and one area in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of BARMM.

The allegations include pre-shading of ballots, voter intimidation and the casting of ballots by individuals other than the registered voters concerned.

Garcia said the Supreme Court could annul election results in the affected areas if the allegations are proven. However, he stressed that any annulment would affect only the position covered by the election protest and would not automatically invalidate other election results.

The protestants are seeking a comparison of the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List with voters’ registration records and signatures to determine whether the ballots were cast by the voters themselves. They are not seeking a recount of the votes.

Garcia said the elected officials being challenged would be given an opportunity to answer the allegations before the cases are resolved.

Separately, the Comelec Law Department is investigating the discovery of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso, Basilan, on the eve of the 14 September BARMM elections.

Garcia said he wants the investigation completed by the end of the year, together with recommendations on the filing of charges and possible policy changes to prevent similar incidents.

The poll body has received answers from the town mayor, municipal treasurer, election officer and police officials who were asked to explain the incident.