00:00The commitment, previously signed by the European Union, the Philippine authorities and the COMLEC, was not respected.
00:08This unexpected development prevented our observers to conduct a meaningful observation of voting procedures on election time.
00:17In light of this uncertainty, the mission did not deploy its full team of observers, as originally planned, for the voting.
00:26A limited number of EU observers were able to observe voting in some precincts, but the mission is not in a position to assess the voting process in line with its methodology.
00:39After the close of the pools, the EOM deployed its teams in 92 polling precincts across the country.
00:48In eight of them, on counting phase, the teams were denied access.
00:54During counting, the atmosphere in precincts was calm and conducive to the counting process.
01:00Some precincts experienced difficulties transmitting results, although most of these issues were resolved.
01:07Procedures were generally adhered to, and pool watchers and observers were able to follow the process without obstacles.
01:15Our EOM observed ozone canvassing at municipal and traditional level in 164 centres, and entrance was denied in one.
01:26It was already explained that there was a really, really clear document signed that we are always able to enter all the precincts.
01:38So when this was clear, and this is exactly what I already said in my statement,
01:43we visited Comolec premises just two days prior E-Day, prior elections, and me as a head of EP delegation,
01:55I wanted to communicate really what could be done in order to go around or to find a way out,
02:01because at the end of the day, we are here for the same goal, and this is how to contribute to development of democracy.
02:08And on our really big regret, we were not received by anyone in Comolec, that we could communicate or find a way around.
02:17Afterwards, we also tried to get some additional information via telephone calls and so on and so on.
02:24But we never got in touch with the Mr. President of Comolec, you know.
02:29So I think, as I already stated in my statement, this could be avoided if we would be talking to each other and meeting each other.
02:37So, you know, not having this communication made us impossible to perform as we would like to,
02:45and at the end of the day, we all are having some consequences that, from my perspective, would be available,
02:52sorry, we would not be here if we would be able to talk to each other.
02:56So, you know, always communication is essential, and again, if there will be any kind of problems,
03:02we are always here to understand things, but if you do not have a partner to communicate with, it's difficult.
03:07So, really, we really regret the situation today.
03:15You
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