SURGE OF ‘OUTSIDER’ VOTER REGISTRANTS IN LA UNION TOWN PROTESTED

August 20, 2024 JUST IN

LA UNION — The reported increasing number of voters from other places registering in Pugo town has alarmed residents, who held a peaceful rally at the municipal office of the Commission on Elections today, Aug. 19. Data released by non-government group Save Pugo Movement shows that from Feb. 12 to Aug. 15 this year, around 2, 487 individuals have applied for transfer of voter’s registration, of which 1, 386 were approved by the local Comelec.

Data shows 250 individuals of the 625 applicants have transferred their voter’s registration from Feb. 12 to March 30; 427 out of 858 applicants from April 1 to June 30; and 709 out of 1, 004 from July 1 to Aug. 15. These individuals have transferred their registration in 13 of the 14 barangays of Pugo, which is a fifth-class municipality with 12, 786 registered voters in 2022.

Multiple sources claimed many of the individuals applying for transfer of voter’s registration do not even know the names of their supposed punong barangays or kagawads. An urgent appeal was also posted on social media urging concerned offices to act on the alleged rampant illegal voters’ registration in Pugo and nearby Agoo town, also in this province. “It has come to our attention that there are serious allegations of illegal voter registrations involving numerous flying voters who are not originally from Pugo and Agoo, La Union.

This is a grave issue that undermines the integrity of our electoral process and disenfranchises legitimate voters,” reads the statement posted in the Pugo Sumbungan Forum. The statement also urged the Comelec and elected officials accountable for addressing such matter promptly. “It is crucial that they investigate these claims thoroughly and take immediate action to prevent further electoral fraud,” the statement added. The statement also appealed to the public to help address the concern by reporting to the concerned offices and authorities any piece of evidence related to the alleged illegal activities, or file a formal complaint with Comelec.