‘Marawi barangay, SK polls went well’

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines —  All went well in the special barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the conflict-stricken Marawi City on Saturday, officials said.

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police office said yesterday there were minor issues at polling sites but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) managed to address these promptly.

Richam Suba, 26, was arrested for vote-buying. The Comelec will prosecute him for violation of Section 261-A of the Omnibus Election Code.

Members of the provincial police were also placed under restrictive custody for firing their guns to disperse an unruly crowd at Dimalna Madraza School.

“The conduct of the (elections) in Marawi was peaceful and orderly. The (police) just provided support to Comelec. It was the poll body that called the shots as to the conduct of elections in the area,” Mijares said.

Meanwhile, all the winners in the special elections have been proclaimed, the Comelec reported yesterday.

“As of 6 a.m. (yesterday), all winners have been proclaimed for the 96 barangays of Marawi,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said. – With Mayen Jaymalin