Village chief wins via drawn lots

TARAKA, Lanao del Sur — A village chief here wins by drawing lots Wednesday morning ending the violence-marred elections for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Lanao del Sur.

Taraka election officer Abdulhakim Talib declared incumbent Buadi Amunta Barangay Chair Yasmalyn Macabando was declared winner over her opponent, Casanoding Comadug after both drew lots to break the tie-breaker.

Macabando and Comandug tied at 59-59 prompting the Comelec to decide on draw lots to break the tie and proclaimed the winner.

The town hall of Taraka was heavily guarded by policemen and soldiers to prevent the supporters of both politicians from fighting again.

“We were all there to provide security in case their supporters become unruly again,” Lt. Yasher Hadjirulla, Taraka’s acting police chief said.

Hadjirulla said supporters of Macabando and Comadug have allegedly prevented voters from entering polling places Monday and Tuesday despite the presence of policemen and army soldiers.

He said policemen and soldiers formed circles around the voters to protect them from unruly supporters who pelted them with stones.

In nearby Bayang town, voting for four villages ended Tuesday night and the ballot boxes were brought in convoys to the town hall where the canvassing started Wednesday morning.

Lanao del Sur Provincial Election Supervisor Udtog Tago said the winners for four barangays where voting was delayed—Linao, Tagoranao, Bialaan, and Lalapung Central – have been officially declared Wednesday morning.

Tago said the winners for Barangays Cadayonan and Lumbac Cadayonan were resolved after opposing candidates withdrew from the race early Tuesday.

He said the opposing candidates for the two barangays were relatives and decided it was in their best interests to withdraw to give way.