Police take over voting in Cotabato City

OVER 500 policemen have taken over as members of special board of election in Cotabato City as tension gripped the city over the weekend ahead of the 2022 national and local elections.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said that as of 10 a.m. Monday, May 9, 26 of the 33 polling centers in Cotabato City have started the voting process.

The delay on the start of the voting in other polling centers in the city stemmed from the delay in the delivery of vote counting machines (VCMs).

The tension reportedly was felt after a group identified with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party blocked the release of VCMs to polling centers from the local office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

There were also alleged attempts to snatch ballots in the towns of Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.

Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat were among the areas in Maguindanao that have been placed under Comelec control ahead of the elections.