CCTV cameras rid Marawi, Lanao Sur of election fraud

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   â€“ Marawi City and Lanao del Sur spared themselves from the “election hotspot” tag this time, with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in major voting centers preventing poll fraud, the military said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division which has jurisdiction over the Lanao provinces and Western Mindanao, said the decision to install CCTV cameras was reached in their meeting with officials of the Commission on Elections, tribal leaders and poll watchers.          

Lucero said the CCTV cameras were meant to ensure honest balloting and avoid suspicions and tensions among supporters of local candidates.

“As proposed, the presence of the surveillance cameras prevented election fraud, irregularities and other unnecessary actions,” he said, adding that the politicians accepted the proposal and even provided the CCTV cameras.

Aside from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur was tagged as one of the areas of concern in the midterm elections. Anomalies were reportedly rampant in the city and province during the 2004 presidential polls.

“The concerted efforts of the people of Marawi paved the way in ridding their place of the notion of being an election cheating area. Maranaos have always wanted clear and honest elections in their province,” Lucero said.