Comelec: Low voter turnout in Baliwag cityhood plebiscite

MANILA, Philippines — A low voter turnout was expected in the plebiscite held yesterday to ratify the conversion of the municipality of Baliwag into a component city, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia.

“Hindi ganun kataas ang voter turnout lagi sa plebisito sapagkat una, may pasok, may mga nagtatrabaho. Yung iba naman tinatamad pa bumangon, gumising or pumunta sa presinto,” Garcia told reporters in an ambush interview.

He said voters are not as enthusiastic to participate in plebiscites compared to regular elections.

However, Garcia said a 60 to 65 percent voter turnout is a ”big advantage.”

He said the plebiscite in Baliwag went smoothly, citing his visit to some of the voting centers.

The results were expected to be announced at around 11 p.m. last night.

The plebiscite, which is provided under Republic Act 11929, started at 7 a.m.

There are 108,572 registered voters from 27 barangays in Baliwag.

The Comelec opened 200 clustered precincts in 26 voting centers.

Garcia said the Comelec would also hold a plebiscite to ratify the conversion of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to a highly urbanized city.

The calendar of activities for the San Jose del Monte plebiscite has yet to be finalized.