50 percent turnout in Negros special poll

MANILA, Philippines - Rains failed to dampen the special election in the fifth district of Negros Occidental yesterday, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

Comelec Commissioner Armando Velasco said some 50 percent of the 206,533 registered voters in the district cast their votes.

Velasco said many voters waited for the rain to stop before trooping to polling precincts.  

“Because of the rain the voters probably had second thoughts going out of their homes. But the rain had little effect since the schools we visited were teeming with people eager to vote,” he said. 

The special poll was held to fill the post vacated by Ignacio Arroyo, who died in January.

The contenders are Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and his nephew, provincial board member Emilio Yulo III. 

Velasco said the special election was peaceful and orderly and all polling precincts opened on time. 

However, the Comelec said bad weather may delay the counting of ballots and proclamation of the winner. 

“There are ballots that will come from far places not to mention the weather, so I think we might be able to proclaim the winner by early morning (today), ” Velasco said.