Manila, Sept. 14 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Cotabato City and the town of Maluso in Basilan under "Comelec control" after reports of violence and cheating in both areas.

The poll body said election materials were compromised in Maluso after poll officials discovered pre-shaded ballots in 36 of 69 voting precincts.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia, who is here in the city, ordered the affected ballots halted and arranged for reprinting, delaying voting in those areas.

In Cotabato City, a series of violence, including explosions and shooting, left three dead and at least 20 others wounded before and during the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.

On Monday, as voting started at 6:45 a.m. inside the Cotabato City Ce...