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| A representative of the 103rd Infantry Brigade voices the commitment of the Philippine Army to protect the integrity of the upcoming elections. (Angelo Dologmandin/PIA Lanao del Sur) |
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--A network of civil society organizations (CSO) and government offices here is again taking bold steps to ensure safe and honest 2022 national and local elections in the province.
The network known as the "Kasalimbago" conducted an election forum among its members on February 24 to lay down activities to safeguard the upcoming elections.
"The main objective is to promote HOPE or honest, orderly, and peaceful elections at ngayong dinagdag natin ang [and now we added] SAFE (secure, accurate, free, and fair) elections. We presented the proposed activities so that we can synchronize the activities," said Nabiha "Noni" Lao, secretary-general of the movement.
Lao said the forum was also aimed to elicit the full commitment and support of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Education (DepEd) to preserve and protect the integrity of the. elections.
Among the agreements during the forum were to synchronize the signing of peace covenants among local candidates and to intensify voter's education campaign.
The movement will also formally request the Comelec to include them as a member of the local campaign committee.
Kasalimbago, a local term for reform was organized by the Lanao del Sur People's Council (LDSPC) 2013 with more than 30 CSO members committed to strengthening electoral reforms that would broaden people's participation in the realization of peaceful and credible elections in Lanao del Sur. The Comelec, PA, PNP, DILG, DepEd, Philippine Information Agency, and Marawi Broadcasters Association were also part of the network.
"We may not be accredited by the Comelec national but the local Comelec office has accredited the Kasalimbago because it is an electoral reform movement. We are making ourselves watchdogs to achieve an honest, orderly, and peaceful election," said Padoman Paporo of the LDSPC. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)
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