Comelec expects 60 to 80 percent BOL plebiscite turnout

COTABATO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) expects a turn out of not lower than 60 percent in Monday’s plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“As far as turnout of voters is concerned, although we are still collating data from the provinces of the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and the cities of Isabela and Cotabato, we are expecting high turnout not lower than 60 [percent],” said lawyer Rey Sumalipao, chief of Comelec in the ARMM.

Results of the plebiscite will be officially announced by the Comelec. Members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) will arrive at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), the seat of the ARMM government, where the canvassing of votes would be held, will arrive in the evening.

“We have not yet received the election returns and the results we gathered are only partial, and these are not validated. We will wait the election returns to be canvassed,” Romel Rama, election officer, said.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said she was disappointed with the plebiscite as there were many cases of harassment allegedly committed by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). She said she is expecting a low voters turnout.

Meanwhile, Major General Cirilito Sobejana, 6th Infantry Division commander,  said the plebiscite was generally peaceful.

Another plebiscite will be held on February 6 in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato. /ee

READ: PNP: BOL plebiscite generally peaceful; same security setup eyed on Feb. 6