All set for Palawan plebiscite

MANILA, Philippines — All is set for the holding of the plebiscite tomorrow to ratify the law dividing Palawan into three provinces.

“Our people all over Palawan are ready to conduct the plebiscite,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Antonio Kho told a press briefing in Puerto Princesa yesterday.

“Hopefully we can get the final results by March 16 although it may take a day or two before we determine if it is a yes or it is a no,” Kho said.

He said the plebiscite would play a vital role in the preparations for the elections next year.

“This is the first time we are doing an electoral exercise under a pandemic. Assuming that the situation is still the same, this will somewhat serve as a laboratory for the conduct of the national elections in terms of observance of health protocols,” Kho said.

Comelec deputy executive director for operations Teopisto Elnas said all election paraphernalia have been delivered, except those for Kalayaan Islands.

The poll body said it expects around 500,000 registered voters to participate in the plebiscite.

Strict health protocols shall be implemented in polling precincts to be opened at 7 a.m.  Only five voters will be allowed at  any given time.

Voting will be done manually with voters required to write yes or oo if they approve of the proposal or no or hindi if they disapprove.