By Gabriela Baron
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) reported Saturday, Sept. 17, that the conduct of the Maguindanao plebiscite was “smooth and peaceful.”
Namfrel said most polling places opened on time and election paraphernalia as well as the members of the different Plebiscite Committees were complete in most polling places.
According to Namfrel, no untoward incidents were recorded even though the voter turnouts in some municipalities were low this morning.
The election watchdog also reported that COVID-19-related protocols were “being consistently enforced and followed.”
Namfrel was accredited by the Commission on Elections as citizens’ arm for the Maguindanao plebiscite.
The eight-hour plebiscite, which would determine if Maguindanao would be divided into two provinces, started at 7:00 a.m. Saturday. –ag
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