MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 17 (PIA) -- Candidates running for congressional, gubernatorial, mayoralty, and other local posts in the entire province vowed to help the Commission on Elections (Comelec) administer peaceful and honest elections this May.
They manifested their commitment for peaceful and clean polls by forging a covenant during the Lanao del Sur Stakeholders Conference for Peaceful, Free and Fair 2013 Elections last March 11.
By signing the covenant, they pledged not to buy votes and not to use force to impede voters to exercise their rights to choose. The also committed to conduct the campaign in accordance with the law and participate in candidates forum called by non-partisan groups in the community.
They also agreed to take responsibility should one of their supporters or bodyguards is proven to have violated Comelec Resolutions 9561-A and 9608 particularly on the rules and regulations on the ban on carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons, as well as, on the employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period.
According to them, the right to vote and the ballot, as expression of the will of the people, are sacred.
Thus, they vowed not to delay the proclamation of the winners and to welcome the outcome of the elections.
The covenant signing was organized by the Consortium on Electoral Reforms (CER) with the support of the Comelec, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, and Lanao Civil Society Organizations.
Also present were candidates for the positions of regional governor, vice-governor and legislative assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who also inked a separate covenant for peaceful and clean polls.
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