The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has described the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE 2023) as “orderly and peaceful,” except for the violence that impacted certain communities in the Bangsamoro region.
In a statement, the PPCRV revealed that it deployed 200,000 volunteers and noted the “significant presence of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Bureau of Fire Protection in polling centers,” crediting their contributions to maintaining peace and order during the elections.
“Barring violence in the Bangsamoro area, PPCRV volunteers numbering 200,000 across the country, observed the recently concluded BSKE 2023 to be orderly and peaceful,” the PPCRV said.
“While generally peaceful nationwide, incidence reports which marred the peaceful conduct of elections centered in the Basilan area,” it added.
Nevertheless, the PPCRV noted irregularities in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
These irregularities encompass instances of fake voters, with some voters arriving to discover that others had already voted in their stead. The PPCRV also reported that certain poll watchers associated with candidates were aiding voters and influencing votes at the precinct level.
BSKE 2023 peaceful, orderly – PPCRV
“Pending cost evaluations, we believe that automated elections which have been implemented with effectivity for national elections may likewise be implemented successfully for local barangay and SK elections,” the PPCRV said.
The council noted that the mall elections held in specific SM and Robinson’s Malls were observed to be straightforward and free from incidents.
“Access to parking, in-house security and the convenience and comfort of air conditioning were benefits appreciated by mall voters,” the PPCRV said.
“It is recommended that mall voting be pursued on a nationwide level with participation of more mall operators and chains,” it added.
Meanwhile, as many as 19 individuals were killed while 19 others were injured in separate incidents of violence that occurred during the height of the entire campaign period in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
This is the result of 29 “election-related violence” recorded by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from August 28 to October 30, according to spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco.
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