Aga asks Comelec to declare failure of elections in CamSur

MANILA, Philippines - After being reported to have won the congressional race, actor Aga Muhlach yesterday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to declare failure of elections in Camarines Sur.

In a five-page petition, Muhlach said failure of elections must be declared in Camarines Sur since election returns from several areas were not transmitted due to “corrupted” compact flash (CF) cards of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

In five clustered precincts in Tigaon town, Muhlach said the board of election inspectors (BEI) was unable to print election returns.

He said the BEI tried to fix the problem, but the CF cards were supposedly found to be corrupted and thus could not transmit election results.

A total of 668 registered voters cast their votes in the affected polling precincts, he said.

Muhlach further alleged that in five other areas in Camarines Sur, there were PCOS machines that shut down and failed to transmit election results.

There were also about 80 ballots that were rejected by the PCOS machines in various clustered polling precincts while there were PCOS machines that were left unguarded.

Aside from technical glitches, Muhlach also cited reports of violence and intimidation that have affected the results of the elections.

“Sanctity and authenticity of ballots have been compromised,” he said.          

Muhlach was reported yesterday to be trailing in the canvassing of votes for the fourth district congressional seat in Camarines Sur.

A day after the elections, Muhlach was reported to have won the congressional race, beating Felix William Fuentebella.

Aside from Muhlach, two candidates in Maguindanao also asked the Comelec to declare failure of elections in three municipalities in the province.

Candidates Hadji Tacao Mastura and Ali Midtimbang said no elections were held in Sultan sa Barongis, Odin Sinsuat and Buluan towns due to violence.