Comelec sees high turnout for BOL plebiscite in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees a high voter turnout in the second round of the Bangsamoro plebiscite, spokesperson James Jimenez said on Wednesday.

According to Jimenez, the poll body has received reports from Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato that voter turnout exceeded 70 percent.

“We expected a lower turnout due to apprehensions due to security concerns in some places, but overall, it has been good. Then again, it could be too early to tell so we’ll see,” Jimenez said in a press briefing.

“Hindi bulto-bulto ang tao, pero (Not a lot of people at the same time but) the arrival of voters has been steady,” Jimenez added.

Voting ended at 3 p.m. but Jimenez said that people in the queue before the cut-off would still be allowed to vote.

“Having said that, the casting of votes could be done by 4:30 or 5 p.m. The Plebiscite Committee will then have a brief break before they reconvene as Counting Committee,” Jimenez added.

He noted that all poll precincts opened on time for the second round of the plebiscite.

Six municipalities from Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato participated in the second plebiscite that tackled their inclusion in the newly established Bangsamoro region.

The first round of the plebiscite happened in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the cities of Cotabato and Isabela last January 21.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was then deemed ratified on January 25 after getting more than 1.5 million affirmative votes. /ee

READ: Yes votes have it: Law creating Bangsamoro region ratified