‘Maguindanao plebiscite orderly, peaceful’

MANILA, Philippines — The plebiscite held in Maguindanao yesterday to ratify the division of the province into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte was peaceful and orderly, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Not a single disruption,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.

He said all polling precincts, except for one in Talayan, opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 3 p.m.

Garcia attributed the success of the plebiscite to the early delivery of election paraphernalia. He said  electoral board members and registered voters also came early for the political exercise.

The division of the province is provided under Republic Act 11550 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in May 2021.

Garcia said canvassing of votes was set today instead of after the close of polling precincts to allow the plebiscite committee to rest.

He said canvassing would be done all at once so election officers can immediately proclaim the results.

Election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) confirmed that the plebiscite was smooth and peaceful, and most of the polling places opened on time.

“NAMFREL volunteers have described the plebiscite as smooth, organized and peaceful, with no untoward incidents,” the group said.

Except for a voter who took a photo of his ballot, NAMFREL said the secrecy of the vote was maintained in the polling precincts.

COVID protocols were enforced and followed, it added.

If the yes vote wins, Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu will be the first governor of Maguindanao del Sur.

Maguindanao Vice Gov. Ainee Sinsuat will be the first governor of Maguindanao del Norte.

Ballot printing

Meanwhile, the Comelec started yesterday the printing of ballots to be used for the plebiscite to ratify the merger of 28 barangays into three barangays and renaming another in Ormoc.

A memorandum signed by Comelec printing committee vice chairperson Helen Aguila-Flores stated that the printing of the ballots started at 10 a.m.

Flores said printing of the plebiscite returns and certificates of canvass and proclamation by the board of canvassers as well as the statement of votes by precinct also started.

The plebiscite in Ormoc is set on Oct. 8. The Comelec has yet to provide the number of registered voters, among other data.