Unruly crowd halts canvassing in QC

The Quezon City Board of Canvassers halted yesterday the canvassing of election returns from various precincts in the city because of too many lawyers and poll watchers that had gathered at Quezon City Hall to monitor the process.

Lawyers and watchers from various political parties who packed the canvassing area were ordered ejected from the premises for the sole purpose of restoring order.

"We must clear the canvassing floor or we will die of suffocation," an irate Lea Alarcon, chairman of the Board of Canvassers said as she ordered all persons to vacate the area, but quickly admitted back in legitimate watchers and representatives.

Alarcon conducted a roll call of lawyers and watchers of various political parties and candidates to ensure that only those individuals that need to be there are admitted back inside. She ordered the security officers to the check identification cards of people entering the canvassing area.

Even members of the Quezon City Press Club who were given accreditation IDs by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos were not allowed to enter. The reporters had to rely on a TV monitor at the city hall lobby to monitor the proceedings.

Marines guarding the canvassing area said they would not honor IDs given by Abalos and told reporters to secure new IDs signed by Alarcon.

However, when newsmen submitted applications to the Comelec district office only one ID was approved.

Reporters were not able to secure official election results because the Comelec had not yet posted votes for candidates from the President down to the councilors.

As of press time, the Comelec has finished canvassing 19 ballot boxes from over 3,000 precincts in the city.

Officials said that they will begin posting results after they are able to canvass at least 30 ballot boxes. – Perseus Echeminada