MANILA, March 7, 2011— Poll watchdogs in the Autonomous Regions in Muslim Mindanao want the elections there to push through, the Parish Pastoral Council for Pastoral Voting (PPCRV) said.
PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said majority of their 16 partners opted for the August 8 polls as scheduled.
“We didn’t make an extensive survey but only among our partners if they want it postponed or not… so far, the feedback is they want it to push through,†she said quoting a report from PPCRV-ARMM Chairman Fr. David Procalla.
De Villa revealed they also are set to come up with “more extensive survey†on the ARMM voters’ sentiments on the matter soon.
“Maybe on Monday they will report to us the results of their survey among their constituents,†she said.
The result, she said, will then be presented to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and, if possible, to Congress for consideration.
Among the partner groups of the PPCRV are the Citizens Coalition for Electoral Reforms, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum Inc., Bangsamoro Lawyers Network, Bishops-Ulama Conference, and the Federation of United Mindanawan Bangsamoro Women Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
De Villa earlier said she favor the postponement of the ARMM elections for the poll body to have more time to prepare.
The PPCRV official said they support proposals for the synchronization of the ARMM polls with the 2013 midterm elections.
Recently, the House committees on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms and on Muslim Affairs approved the bill seeking the postponement of the ARMM polls.
Malacanang, for its part, also expressed support to the proposals with the matter being discussed in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). [CBCPNews]
