Losing gubernatorial bets in Lanao del Sur want May poll results invalidated

Losing candidates in Lanao del Sur's gubernatorial race have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to annul the election results in the province and declare failure of elections, alleging massive poll fraud.

Petitioners Gene Mamondiong, Hatta Dimaporo, Agakhan “Binladen” Sharief and Sultan Bob Datimbang made the call in a petition they filed before the Comelec on Wednesday against the winner, Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., who emerged victorious by garnering over 193,000 votes more than second placer Mamondiong.

The petitioners alleged that the May 2019 polls in Lanao del Sur were marred by massive fraud led by Adiong and his allies through pre-shading of ballots involving municipal officials; substitution of voters; shading of ballots involving some of Board of Election Inspectors as unwilling co-conspirators; vote buying; and terrorizing voters.

The petitioners also cited the viral video showing some people apparently pre-shading the ballots without the knowledge of the voters.

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission to grant the instant petition by way of: nullifying or annulling the election results in Lanao del Sur, including Marawi City; declaring failure of election in the aforementioned province and city; voiding the proclamation of the respondent by the Provicial Board of Canvassers of Lanao del Sur and suspending the effect of said proclamation; and setting the schedule for special elections,” their petition read.

The petitioners argued that their allegations are supported by affidavits executed by a number of witnesses.

Likewise, they argued that filing such petition is necessary to protect the will of the electorate “from being denigrated by unscrupulous candidates who are armed with all the resources under the sun to do so if only to perpetuate themselves in power.”

“If the Commission will fold its arms and refuse to apply the law, where will order and reform in our electoral process begin?” the petitioners added. — BM, GMA News