Comelec and PPCRV urged to publicly tally party list results

DELAY IN CANVASSING IN ARMM DEPLORED:
Comelec and PPCRV urged to publicly tally party list results

BAYAN MUNA is seriously concerned about the failure of the Comelec and the PPCRV to publicly tally the results of the party list elections. “Second rate public officials ba ang tingin ng Comelec at PPCRV sa party list? They must note that it is the progressive party list groups that was in the forefront of exposing and opposing the graft and corruption cases and anti-people policies of President Arroyo”, said Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casino. “This is marginalization of the marginalized.” We demand that PPCRV perform their function as an election watchdog and also cover the party list results. When they applied for accreditation, they are bound to also publicly tally the party list votes,” he concluded.

Bayan Muna representative Neri Javier Colmenares also condemned the serious omission because it will encourage fraud in the party list election. “This absence of information only makes it possible for fraud to be committed especially since there are rich pro Arroyo nominees running in the party list. Many party list groups got a lot of votes in the ARMM areas in 2007. Now that the ARMM results are delayed, it will not surprise us if fraud is again being committed there. We heard that national results for senators and party list are not being canvassed in these areas. We will file charges against board of canvassers refusing to canvass these national posts,” said Rep. Colmenares. “We are calling on the Comelec and leaders of concerned political parties to go to the ARMM areas and guard their votes,” he added.

Progressive party list groups like Bayan Muna and progressive candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza were victims of massive black propaganda during the campaign. “Our posters were defaced, and large streamers saying people shouldn’t vote for us because we are NPAs littered streets all over the country. Public officials received letters threatening them if they support us. This campaign against Bayan Muna cost millions only to ensure a decrease in our votes,” said Rep. Colmenares. “Vote buying and huge campaign spending by rich party list groups also marred the election. Bayan Muna votes may have suffered because of these attacks but we are still happy that the people's vigilance and determination to vote managed to preempt a possible failure of election which will only play into the hands of Pres. Arroyo.”

Clean Up

Bayan Muna also announced that it will help clean up the garbage resulting from the election campaign. “We will focus in helping clean up schools. Bayan Muna will also study a proposed bill that will only allow bio degradable materials for election propaganda. Maybe we can minimize solid waste pollution during campaign periods,” said Rep. Teddy Casino.

Used tarpaulin streamers may also be donated to Bayan Muna (# 45 K-7 Street, West Kamias, Quezon City) for recycling into tarp-bags, as demonstrated by Bayan Muna Payatas Chapter's tarp-bag making activity last April 21 in celebration of Earth Day.