29 reported killed as 2023 BSKE period ends — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said 29 people were reported killed as the election period for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) ended on Wednesday.

“Twenty-nine ang killed, 100 ang injured, at 40 ang unharmed (29 were killed, 100 were injured, and 40 were unharmed),” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said at a  press briefing on Thursday.

As of Thursday, Fajardo said a total of 331 incidents of violence suspected to be related to the elections were reported. Of the total number, 105 have been validated to be poll-related while 221 were not related to the polls.

Five incidents are still undergoing validation if they are connected with the BSKE.

Most of the incidents were reported in Bangsamoro with 57 cases, Northern Mindanao with 15, Eastern Visayas with six, and Ilocos with six.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,672 people were arrested while 2,087 firearms were confiscated due to election gun ban violations.

The election period for the 2023 BSKE started August 28 and ended November 29.

Despite the reports of fatal election-related incidents of violence, Fajardo said the conduct of the polls was generally peaceful.

On November 1, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared that 2023 BSKE was officially finished. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

"One hundred percent complete voting and canvassing nationwide. No failure of elections," Comelec chairperson George Garcia sai