The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared failure of elections in 14 barangays in three Lanao del Sur municipalities.
These areas will undergo special elections on May 15, 2022 or on a date that the Comelec deems proper.
According on the excerpt from the minutes of the session of the Comelec on May 10, the declaration of failure of election includes:
- Barangay Ragayan in Butig town;
- Barangay Pindolonan in Binidayan town; and
- 12 barangays in Tubaran town (Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-pimbataan, and Metadicop)
The declaration was made after violence erupted in the said areas during election day.
In Butig, armed men stole a vote-counting machine and ballots during election day, canceling the casting of votes in a precinct in Butig Central School.
The Comelec also appointed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) as Special Board of Election Inspectors for the special elections.
— Ronald Espartinez