Local elections in the Philippines have been marked by renewed violence, with two people killed and five others injured outside a polling station in Maguindanao del Norte province on the island of Mindanao. Violent political culture and permissive gun laws make these election periods risky times in the country.
This tragic incident took place during a clash between supporters of rival candidates for the post of village chief. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Two schools serving as polling stations were also deliberately set on fire a few days earlier.
These elections are of great importance in the Philippines because they allow the renewal of the barangay councils, which are the smallest administrative subdivisions in the country. More than 67 million voters are registered to choose the 336,000 positions to be filled, including the very influential village chief. These positions are prized by political parties because they allow them to form networks and build a base of support for other upcoming elections.
Security was reinforced to ensure the smooth running of the vote, with more than 300,000 police and soldiers deployed on the ground. However, despite these measures, election-related violence continues to erupt. Between August 28 and October 25, eight people were killed and seven others injured in voting-related incidents.
These local elections, which should be held every three years, have been postponed several times. The last polls were in 2018, and the wait for these elections has contributed to a tense atmosphere and fierce political competition.
It is regrettable that politically motivated violence can taint an already fragile democratic process. Philippine authorities must implement stricter measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of voters. It is also essential to raise awareness of the need to resolve political differences through dialogue and peaceful debate, in order to build a more stable and harmonious political future for the Philippines.