Despite some delays, Comelec says plebiscite ‘’successful’’

January 21, 2019

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday despite some delays in the start of voting in 24 precincts in the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the exercise was ‘’successful.’’

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said this was true in in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.

“With the exception of the 24 precincts, the plebiscite has been successful, very peaceful, and 100 percent opened on time,” he said.

“Overall, the BOL plebiscite has been successful. Let us just wait for its results,” added Jimenez.

Jimenez said counting and canvassing of votes at the city/municipal and provincial levels will follow after voting closed at 3 pm

The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers is set to convene Tuesday at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.

According to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional Comelec director Ray Sumalipao, voter turnout was high.

Jimenez said 24 polling precincts in Cotabato City saw delays in the start of voting, which was supposed to be at 7am.

“They faced delays and were only able to open at around 11AM,” said Jimenez. “Only Cotabato City was the sore spot,” he added. Jimenez said last-minute refusal of the members of the Plebiscite Committee to serve in the referendum was a cause of the delay as teachers claimed to have receoved threats through text messages, “They had to be replaced by PNP personnel. About 77 members of the PNP had to perform PlebCom functions,” he said.. Jimenez said about 8,000 voters were affected by the delays. DMS