Keeping the peace

CAMPAIGN promises and the mudslinging have all been said and done.

For many weeks, national and local candidates have been on high performance level — they have bombarded our senses with their presence through TV, radio, the newspapers, the streets, our barangays, and even right in our homes.

In the local front, it was mostly rather amusing despite reports of private armed groups and the use of dirty tricks in some quarters. Overall, the province proved to be calm grounds. Sadly, the campaign show towards the homestretch turned ugly in some areas with reports of harassments, the involvement of armed guards in confrontations, death threats, foul verbal tirades, and finger-pointing.

But the campaign period is now officially over and tomorrow voters will take center stage as they troop to the polling stations to cast their ballots.

Surely the wish of everyone — the voting public, the police and the military, the Commission on Elections, and the candidates, hopefully including those who have private armed groups or simply armed supporters — is to keep the elections orderly, clean, and peaceful. It is a wish that we ourselves can make come true through concerted effort.

It is a tall order, but not an impossible mission. At the very least, tempers should be kept cool and patience stretched far as we embark on the first automated polls in the country. Cooperation and collective vigilance is called for among all parties.

And hopefully with just minor glitches, as can be expected with the first time use of a new technology, it won’t be long before the counting is over. That, again, is a period that is equally crucial in terms of keeping the peace.

There will be winners and there will be losers. The losers and their supporters must show graciousness in their defeat. A sore loser will only show proof that he or she is in fact undeserving of becoming a public servant. Comelec results must be respected and if there is any electoral protest, these should be brought before the proper forum and not in the streets or resolved by resorting to violence.

We’ve seen and heard the candidates. It is now the turn of the voters to be heard.

At the end of the day, voters hold the decision and they will get only what they deserve.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments