KIKO ON FOREIGN POLL OBSERVERS SAYING
THEY FELT SAFER IN AFGHANISTAN...

"Our government should take the disconcerting findings of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) as a wake up call from an objective, well-meaning organization, and this should likewise move our authorities to prosecute swiftly all those who committed illegal acts this election."

"Similarly, we have continuously pointed out that our police authorities and the COMELEC paint a rosy picture of reality. By saying the polls were 'generally peaceful' they do not reveal the true picture of the recent elections. The 150 lives lost, the brazen acts of vote-buying and dagdag-bawas, and the use of guns, goons and gold should be admitted by our authorities as a failure to act decisively for clean and honest polls. The only remaining option for them to redeem themselves now, albeit too late, is to get to the bottom of these crimes fast and punish the guilty. We cannot paint a rosy picture for the international community if the circumstances show otherwise."

"Our authorities need to own up to their shortcomings, and they have to admit that nowhere in the world would an election with a casualty record of 150 be considered peaceful. Unless the government is willing to face this fact, we will not be able to move forward from this election culture mired by violence and deceit."