Foreign poll observers bothered by reports of cheating, violence

Foreign observers monitoring the upcoming May 14 elections said they are "bothered" by reports of alleged cheating, as well as poll-related violence in the country.

Timothy Meisburger, regional director for elections and political processes of The Asia Foundation, said in an interview yesterday that, during the 2004 elections, the canvassing of votes was not open enough, leaving room for doubts of alleged fraud.

"I did not say that there was cheating during the 2004 elections, because I was not here during that time," he said. "But, because of lack of transparency, it is easy for someone to allege that there was cheating."

Asked if the lack of transparency was due to the fact that the Philippines has not yet computerized its elections, Meisburger said: "Automation is a bad idea. It is less transparent, expensive and unnecessary."

The plan to automate the 2004 elections was not implemented following questions on the contract made by the Comelec with the Mega-Pacific consortium for the purchase of automated election machines, which was later found to be overpriced.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said this is the reason why they have allowed 219 accredited foreign observers to monitor the synchronized polls inside the precincts.

"That is why we welcome them here," Abalos said in a separate interview. "These are just reports that they heard and allowing them to monitor the elections inside the polling precincts would only disprove what they have heard."

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said they recommended that the foreign observers stay in one precinct instead of leapfrogging from one polling place to another, so they can observe the entire cycle of elections and the electoral process in the Philippines.

"How can they monitor the entire process if they would be mobile? That is why we are encouraging them to stay and observe the complete cycle," he said, adding that this will ensure the accountability and transparency of the election process.

The Comelec amended its rules on foreign election observers to allow them to enter the polling precincts, but Abalos clarified that the foreign observers should not go beyond the area designated for the board of election inspectors, so as not to interfere with the process.

Apart from allegations of cheating, foreign election observers found politically motivated killings in the country "disturbing."

"It makes it difficult for people to express their will," Meisburger said.

His view is shared by Sarmiento, who said the killings, which already claimed the lives of nearly 100 people, are cause for concern.

"I hope there would be less incidents as election day nears, because if this does not stop, it would not speak well of our elections," Sarmiento said. "The number of victims reaching the 100 mark is a cause for concern."

Meanwhile, though no politically-motivated violence has been directed at Westerners, the United States embassy in Manila yesterday advised its nationals in the Philippines to keep a low profile and to avoid demonstrations related to the May 14 elections.

In a consular notice, the embassy urged US nationals living and working in the country to reassess their personal security and to keep a low profile. US nationals were also reminded that political or other demonstrations could materialize on short notice.

"US citizens should avoid crowds and exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity of a demonstration. As a reminder, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence," the embassy said.

With the holding of the legislative and local elections, the embassy said that, as with previous elections, there has been campaign-related violence this year – often at public gatherings.

"None of the violence has been directed at Westerners or Western interests," the embassy said. "However, anyone in the vicinity of a political rally or a campaign appearance could be a victim of politically-related violence."

The embassy issued the consular notice a day after a bombing in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat that killed eight people and injured 33 others.

The US government issued a travel advisory on the Philippines on April 28 in which it urged US citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines to carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while they are here due to terrorism and the operation of kidnap-for-ransom gangs.

"US citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including those due to terrorism," the US State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs said in its updated travel warning.  – With Pia Lee Brago, Bernice Estero, Renee Puno, Maria Isabel Baccay