The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has firmly refuted allegations that Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) manipulated votes during the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections in Lanao del Sur.
False Claims Emerge Amid Elections
The circulating post is false, has no basis, and is a malicious imputation meant to mislead the public about the voting process.
Comelec Statement
The misleading post, attributed to a user named Zeddie DM, suggested that an ACM in Butig displayed a different choice than what was cast, claiming, "BGC ang lumalabas kahit UBJP ang binoto." This assertion gained traction, accumulating over 1,400 reactions and 600 shares.
In response, Comelec reiterated that ACMs are designed to accurately read and record the filled ballots without the capability to alter results. They emphasized that only the votes that voters shade are recorded on the voter receipt.
Moreover, Comelec cautioned that spreading false information about the electoral process could lead to serious consequences, including potential imprisonment under the Omnibus Election Code.
Context of the BARMM Elections
This incident occurs during the historic BARMM parliamentary elections, a crucial step following the 2014 peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). As the region transitions to a parliamentary system, the integrity of the electoral process remains paramount.
During the elections, various irregularities were flagged by election watchdogs, including reports of pre-shaded ballots and vote-buying, underscoring the challenges in ensuring a fair election.