With only days to go before the crucial May 9 elections, farmers are enjoining the public, especially those in vote-rich provinces and ‘election hotspots’ to report cases of electoral fraud and related incidents.

“All sectors must be active in reporting election-related-disinformation, vote-buying, election fraud, election-related violence, disenfranchisement, and problems concerning the automated election system (AES) in their localities. Cases of threats, harassment, and red-tagging must also be compiled and reported.”

“We encourage the public to also watch and observe the final testing and sealing of Vote Counting Machines (VCM) happening this week in different parts of the country. Transparency is important in the coming elections,” according to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).  

KMP said reports should be backed-up with evidence such as photos, video, and audio recordings if available, to be more credible. Concerned citizens can post validated reports on social media using the hashtags #VoteReportPH and #KontraDayaPH. “Lahat tayo tagabantay ng boto at watcher sa eleksyon,” according to Danilo Ramos of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.  

“The public must remain vigilant and determined in exposing and opposing election-related anomalies and irregularities. The country’s future is at stake. We cannot afford another 7-hour glitch or massive electoral fraud in whatever form. Every Filipino must safeguard our vote and ensure the conduct of clean, safe, and fair elections,” Ramos added.

Ramos said the final week leading to election day is critical because it is during this period that massive vote-buying happens at the local level.

“Vote buying is a classic form of cheating used by candidates with money to burn. Vote-buying and selling — be it in the form of cash, promised gifts, among other forms, destroys the sanctity of the vote,” the peasant leader added. ###