The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) were “generally peaceful” and “successful” despite reported incidents in some areas, Commission on Election (Comelec) chairman George Garcia said on Monday, Oct. 30.
“So far naman, maayos maliban na lang sa iilan na pangyayari. Nakakatuwa nga kasi successful lahat ng ating pilot projects, katulad ng mall voting,” he said in a press conference.
[THREAD] Press conference ng @COMELEC kaugnay sa #BSKE2023#SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/UZNkpeRZMp
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 30, 2023
Garcia vowed to go after those individuals who reportedly disrupted the conduct of voting.
In the early morning of the election, a group barged in and tore down the official ballots in two precincts in Pilot Elementary School in Brg. Kalipay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“Kapag clear na yung smoke, yung lahat ng mga nagkasala ay hindi namin patatawarin lalo na yung mga namunit ng mga balota. Pabayaan lang natin matapos ito,” he said.
The poll body, according to Garcia, will also go after those individuals who reportedly blocked teaching personnel in Bangsamorro, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.
“Alam natin ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga taong iyan, mga politiko na nakialam sa ating halalan, lalo na dyan sa area sa Mindanao. Alam natin ang ginawa nila. Tapusin muna natin ang pagbilang at ang importante ay ang proklamasyon ng lahat ng kandidato,” he said.
The Comelec chairman said the proclamation of 245 candidates would be suspended if they have won.
“In fact, may hinahabol pa ngayon ang task force [Anti]-Epal na additional 60, gusto nilang i-file ngayon bago i-proclaim mamayang gabi,” he added.
The casting of votes for the BSKE 2023 ended at exactly 3 PM, and the manual counting has begun shortly after.
