Xavier University hosted the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) Misamis Oriental- Cagayan de Oro Chapter, coordinated by Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana-Social Involvement Office.

WATCHDOG. NAMFREL MisOr-CDO chapter volunteers at the local candidates' debate held at the Limketkai Center.

By Roselyn Carmel F Nacague, KKP/NAMFREL Student Volunteer

NAMFREL participated in various pre-election, election, and post-election activities under the non-partisan, loose network, LIHUK 2016. One of NAMFREL’s notable pre-election activities included the Candidates’ Fora and Debates with Rotary Club and other partner organizations. NAMFREL volunteers were also able to witness the arrival and the final testing and sealing of the Vote Counting Machines (VCM) and election paraphernalia.

The pool of volunteers consisted mostly of students from various colleges in Cagayan de Oro City such as Xavier University, Capitol University, and Cagayan de Oro College, as well as organizations, namely Communications Link for Emergency Assistance Network (CLEAN) Inc, Pagtukaw Movement, and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

On Election Day, NAMFREL sent mobile poll watchers in the various voting centers in Cagayan de Oro City and in other select cities and municipalities in Misamis Oriental. The volunteers made sure that election instructions and protocols were followed. Incident reports and regular updates on the day of the elections were monitored and reported to the Command Center at the XU Peace Park. Over-all updates were sent to the national secretariat with the assistance of the Xavier University Debate Circle.

In the post-election phase, NAMFREL was able to do its own parallel counting and Random Manual Audit Monitoring.