Armed Forces' Role in Elections Reduced

[Gloria]

4//The Manila Times, Philippines Friday, October 13, 2006

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/oct/13/yehey/top_stories/20061013top5.html



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ARMED FORCES’ ROLE IN ELECTIONS REDUCED

AFP and Anthony Vargas


The military’s role in future elections will be greatly diminished under an agreement signed Thursday with election officials, a minister said.



The Armed Forces and the Commission on Elections agreed that military personnel will no longer take part in counting and canvassing votes, choosing precincts, transporting ballot boxes and carrying election material and results, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz told reporters.



Soldiers will still set up checkpoints to enforce the gun ban during elections.



“This is a big step toward the insulation of the from politics,” Cruz said.

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