MANILA, Philippines – No technical glitches were reported during the special elections in a barangay in Jones, Isabela on Monday.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said about 50 percent of the voters in Barangay Dicamay I in Jones, Isabela have already cast their votes as of 10 a.m.
“As of 10 am, we already have about 50 percent of the registered voters having already turned out,” Jimenez said in a press conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
“And so far, no reports of any problems with the VCMs,” he added.
Jimenez also assured that the Comelec has prepositioned VCMs should there be a need for replacements.
“For the purposes of readiness, we do have prepositioned contingency machines,” he said.
“So we’re ready for anything to happen over there,” the Comelec spokesperson added.
READ: Comelec sets May 20 special elections in Isabela town
The Comelec conducted the special elections in the Isabel barangay following the due burning of a VCM in the area last May 13.
Armed men reportedly snatched and burned VCMs and election paraphernalia that were being transferred to the municipal canvassing center to the town hall in Isabela last Tuesday.
Two suspects are already in the custody of the Jones municipal police .
READ: Armed men torch VCM, election paraphernalia in Isabela
READ: 2 suspects in torching of VCMs in Isabela now in police custody
“The problem with Jones, Isabela originally, was not the voting, it was after the voting. So that’s the more critical time period that we’re going to be looking at today as well,” Jimenez said. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)