LEFT-LEANING party list groups yesterday said government cheating against them is now conducted in a "systematic" way compared to the elections in 2001 and 2004.

The new cheating technique was started during the campaign and is being completed during the canvassing of votes, they said.

In a press conference, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro cited cases which they said showed massive shaving of their votes, particularly in Mindanao.

Bayan Muna secretary general Nathaniel Santiago said these five leftist groups that were earlier tagged by government as "communist fronts" are "losing thousands of votes" based on the their quick counts.

Santiago said that without cheating, Bayan Muna will get three seats in the House of Representatives, Anakpawis and Gabriela two each, and one each for Suara Bangsamoro and Kabataan.

The "worst case scenario," Santiago said, is that they would just retain the six seats which they are now holding, with Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro not getting any representation.

The Task Force Poll Watch formed by the five party list groups has documented 156 cases of fraud, harassment, and violence.

Based on the task force’s initial report, party list sheets were removed from several election returns in Malabang in Lanao del Sur.

In Marawi, Lanao del Sur, votes for Suara Bangsamoro and Genuine Opposition candidates were allegedly not read or written in the ERs in several precincts.

The task force also alleged that there were cases of ballot switching and padding of votes in favor of Team Unity candidates, and barring of entry of their watchers to the municipal canvassing center in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

"Reported votes of GO candidates at the precinct level, averaging 8,000, were cut down to less than 4,000. The more than 5,000 votes of Suara were slashed to less than 2,000," the task force said in its initial report.

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said in San Luis, Pampanga, votes for his group were recorded as "zero" in the certificate of canvass.

"It was only when the watchers of (Pampanga gubernatorial candidate) Fr. Ed Panlilio protested that the Board of Canvassers restored and listed Bayan Muna votes," he said.

Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza played during the press conference a video showing there were "20" votes for her group when it was written in figures but "zero" when written in words. This was in a precinct in San Diego Elementary School in Quezon City. There were similar cases at the Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School also in Quezon City, Maza said. – Reinir Padua