THE National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections said Tuesday it will investigate the alleged irregularities in some poll precincts during the May 9 elections, claiming there were discrepancies in the voting results.
Namfrel head Corazon Akol said they will look into reports there was a precinct where 387 votes were counted even though it only had 375 registered voters.
She refused to name the precinct or to reveal further details due to a non-disclosure agreement with the Commission on Elections.
She said they will write a formal complaint to the Comelec about the matter, although that will not affect the counting of the votes. The anomaly would only be significant if many other precincts had voting discrepancies.
Meanwhile, the United Nationalist Alliance on Tuesday claimed many vote counting machines broke down nationwide.
“In Makati City alone there were 28 defective machines that resulted in confusion and long queues that discouraged voters to cast their votes,” the group said in a statement.
“Aside from Makati, we received reports that several areas also encountered VCM problems. These included South Cotabato; Valenzuela; Quiapo, Manila; Oriental and Occidental, Mindoro; Moonwalk, Parañaque; Virac, Catanduanes, Talang, Masbate; General Santos City; Surigao del Sur; Sangandaan; Biliran; Pangasinan; Zamboanga Sibugay; Danao, Cebu and Rizal.”
UNA spokesman Mon Ilagan said voters had complained against the mismatch between the receipts generated by the VCM and the actual votes cast.
“Voters from different localities across the country have reported that they voted for a particular candidate like Vice President Binay but received a receipt generated by the VCM indicating the name of ‘Mar Roxas’,’’ Ilagan said.
“We are now collating supporting documents evidencing these irregularities in order to determine whether the same show a systematic and widespread pre-conceived plan to sabotage the electoral process and mute the electoral will.