Elections in Negros Occidental were peaceful

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to Negros Occidental Commission on Elections (Comelec) election supervisor, Atty. Jessie Suarez, yesterday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections were peaceful.

In an interview with members of local media yesterday, he said the only issues they encountered were voters unable to locate their names on the list. Suarez said the names of voters were there but most only remembered the classrooms they voted in during previous polls instead of their precinct number.

Reports also revealed elections in Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City pushed through, despite clashes between the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army (NPA) a few days prior. However, the area was placed under “orange status,” which signifies the presence of armed groups. Additional troops and police were also posted in the area for security.

Meanwhile, despite reporting a fire incident late Sunday evening, elections at Talisay City Elementary School managed to push through.

According to local polling officials across Bacolod City, many voters arrived early to the polls, with turnout estimated to be around 85 to 90 percent./DGB, WDJ