ARMM governors oppose extended voter's registration

MANILA, Philippines - Local officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanano (ARMM) urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to implement the extended voter’s registration over concerns that it would further heat up the political situation in the region.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong and other governors of the ARMM called on Comelec chairman Jose Melo on Friday to express their concerns on the extended registration.

Adiong said the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last month was a shocking reminder of the volatility of the political situation in the region.

The carnage was primarily blamed on Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. who allegedly wanted to eliminate his political rival, Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, in the gubernatorial race in Maguindanao.

The killings prompted President Arroyo to place Maguindanao under martial law for eight days and ordered the replacement of all local leaders in the region, including ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, who has also been implicated in the murders.

The massacre shocked the nation and the world in what has been described as the worst pre-election violence in the country’s political history.

“It’s not yet election but so many people have already been massacred here. The registration might only fuel the situation here,” Adiong said.

Adiong stressed ARMM does not need an extension of the voters’ registration.

“What we need here is not registration but the cleansing of the voters’ lists. All the people here are already registered,” he added.

Adiong added his younger brother, acting ARMM Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong, is also opposed to the extended registration.

Melo, on the other hand, said they could not accommodate the governors’ request, since the Supreme Court (SC) had ordered the extension of the registration and Comelec is bound to comply.

The SC last week granted the petition of the Kabataan party-list to extend the voter’s registration up to Jan. 9, 2010 to allow more voters to sign up for next year’s polls.

The Comelec opposed the petition, pointing out the list of voters is already prepared for printing next month.

Registration for the 2010 polls was held from Dec. 2, 2008 to Oct. 31, 2009.

Following the SC ruling, the Comelec came out with a resolution allowing the extended registration of voters starting tomorrow.