Plebiscite on dividing Palawan into 3 provinces begins
MANILA, Philippines — Palawan voters are taking part in a plebiscite on Saturday to determine whether or not the province will be divided into three or remain a single province.
Palawan goes to the polls today to decide whether it remains a single province or if it gets broken up into three new provinces – Palwan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental. #PalawanPleb pic.twitter.com/PwYCjmX07G
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) March 12, 2021
On Twitter, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez shared a copy of the ballot.
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#PalawanPleb sees COMELEC’s election day protocols in action. pic.twitter.com/21rwvCfUJh
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) March 12, 2021
Another post showed voters lining up outside a precinct, and their temperatures being checked before casting their votes.
Jimenez likewise showed the “new look of Philippine elections”, where plastic barriers could be seen around a voter as a precaution against COVID-19.
The new look of Philippine elections. #PalawanPleb pic.twitter.com/aLLspVrhmn
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) March 12, 2021
The plebiscite is required under Republic Act No. 11259 that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on April 5, 2019, where Palawan will be divided to three provinces – Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur.
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan’s capital, will not take part in the plebiscite or in future elections in any of the new provinces as it will have its own Congressional district representative.
Voters can cast their votes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the counting and canvassing of votes shall begin from 3 p.m. onwards, the Comelec said.
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