Zambo City voters hauled from evacuation centers to polling precincts

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the ferrying of hundreds of evacuees to their designated polling precincts for the special barangay elections in this city on Monday.

Brilliantes said that the evacuees staying at the city's sports complex will be fetched by government dump trucks and then transported to their designated polling centers.

“This is to ensure that there will be no low turnout of voting,” Brillantes said at a press conference late Sunday.

Brillantes and Comelec Commissioners Grace Padaca and Al Parreño went to Zamboanga City to oversee the implementation of the special elections.

The October 28 barangay elections in the city was moved due to the deadly siege by the supporters of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari last September.

The MNLF fighters occupied several barangays including Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina during the 22-day standoff with government troops.

The polling centers in the four villages have been moved to other schools that were not affected by the siege.

Regional election director Wilfred jay Balisado assured that local candidates will not be able to use the Comelec's order to court for more votes from the evacuees.

“We are not required to do it, but this is just additional service to help our evacuees,” Balisado added.

Regional police director Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, meanwhile, said that the 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew imposed at the height of the siege will remain in effect during and after the elections.

Vaño also assured that the police are strictly implementing the gun and liquor ban in the city in connection with the special elections.