Don't be tempted by the glitter of money and personal and selfish motives, vote wisely, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra appealed to voters in Negros Occidental yesterday.

Navarra, along with Gov. Joseph Marañon and Elections Provincial Supervisor Jessie Suarez yesterday called on the public to vote according to their conscience, and on candidates and their supporters to help keep the elections peaceful today.

The 1,499,459 voters of Negros Occidental are expected to troop to voting areas that open at 7 a.m and close at 3 p.m. today.

International poll observers and a representative of the American government arrived in Bacolod City over the weekend to observe the elections in Negros Occidental.

Navarra yesterday held a mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City for the volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting who are set to watch the votes.

He urged the volunteers to ensure that the elections are kept clean and honest and commended them for volunteering to protect the democratic rights of the people.

The bishop called on voters to choose upright candidates who will work for the good of the people, and will fight against poverty, criminality and corruption.

Suarez also warned voters that if they sell their votes, they will have to sacrifice for three years for voting into office corrupt and incompetent officials.

Suarez also called on candidates to stay sober and to tell their supporters to avoid violence and mudslinging on election day.

Go out and cast your ballot and make the best choice you can, Marañon also appealed.

Suarez said Roger Johnson, US Embassy information officer, is in Bacolod City to observe the elections.

Also in Negros Occidental are three members of the International Observers Mission - Mullian Cheun of the United States, Lawrence Surendra of India and Philipp Bueck of Germany.

The IOM members together with COMPACT for Peaceful Elections-Negros Occidental chapter headed by Pastor Emmanuel Alano, will observe the elections in La Castellana and Pulupandan.

The IOM members hope their presence in critical poll areas will help deter violence and fraud, Surendra said.

Their team will document their observations and make a report at the end of their mission, he said.

Electoral reform is needed to further the cause of democracy, he said.

The IOM in Negros Occidental will observe the elections in Pulupandan town where fears have been raised that intense political rivalry could lead to violence and La Castellana.

Emman Hizon of COMPACT said they chose La Castellana town, which has been in the limelight because of recent agrarian reform violence, because they want to observe one of the more popular political contests between Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. and Jose Apolinario Lozada who are battling for the fifth congressional seat.

Today, selling of intoxicating liquor; giving and accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value; soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or political party within polling places are banned.

Also prohibited by the COMELEC today are fairs, cockfighting, boxing, horse racing or similar sports.*CPG

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