By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
All 467 voting precincts opened on schedule for the Maguindanao plebiscite on Saturday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported.
Comelec Chair George Garcia said all but one precinct opened at 7:00 a.m. for the 818,790 registered voters who decided if the province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should be split into two — Maguindano del Norte (12 municipalities) and Maguindanao del Sur (24 municipalities).
“Except for one place in the municipality of Talayan that started at 7:30 a.m., there was no precinct that did not open,” he said during a press briefing.
“This means that our preparations were successful because all the election paraphernalia arrived on time, all Electoral Board members were there on time. We thank all Maguindanaoans. You have shown that you are in control of your future,” he added.
There is no data yet on the actual turnout of the voting that ended at 3:00 p.m. but Garcia said he is hoping more than 60% participated.
Voters within a 30-meter radius of polling precincts by 3:00 p.m. were accommodated.
Canvassing is eyed to start at 8:00 p.m. while the result may be out by Sunday, Garcia said.
“The process with the proclamation will not be completed today (Saturday). It may take until tomorrow morning. Until tomorrow afternoon at the latest,” he said.
Meanwhile, poll watchdog LENTE (Legal Network for Truthful Elections) Philippines posted on Facebook that based on its observations in voting centers from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., “most of the Plebiscite Committee arrived on time and without delays, prepared the setup of the polling places and accomplished the preliminary activities. Voting influx peaked at 7:30 a.m. onwards, 30 minutes later than the expected time. A low number of voters were observed waiting for the voting to be opened.”
In May 2021, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11550, or the Charter of the Provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
If the “yes” votes win, Maguindanao del Norte will be made up of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay.
Under Maguindanao del Sur are Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, and South Upi.
The capital towns and seats of government of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur shall be the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Buluan, respectively. – gb