Philippine Elections Tense to Election Day

Philippine presidential candidate and senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino, son of democracy icon Corazon Aquino, waves to supporters during a live television show in Manila on May 4. Aquino was the leading candidate in a survey released last week estimating support for him at 39 percent. (Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)

A software glitch and suspicions of fraud escalated tensions as Philippine voters prepared to go to the polls Monday for the country’s first ever automated election.

Some presidential candidates requested a postponement of the elections, due to the technical difficulties, and the top three presidential candidates hinted they may contest the elections if their party does not win, the Seattle Times reported.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday that preparation for the elections were 98 percent complete, according to the Philippine Star. However, just hours before the polls opened, Chairman Jose Melo said the electronic voting machines had not yet been completely tested or sealed, according to the report.

Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino, son of former president Corazon Aquino, is leading pre-election polls.