POLLING AMID PANDEMIC At 50 to 60 percent, the voter turnout was still considered “high” for Saturday’s electoral exercise that decides whether Palawan will be split into three provinces. Residents of Barangay Panacan Uno, for example, went out to cast their vote despite the rain and the raging pandemic. —ROMAR MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — The results of the Palawan plebiscite could be out this Tuesday or within the week, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body has already canvassed votes from 18 of 23 municipalities in the province.
“We have already canvassed I think 18 out of 23 and we are scheduled to reconvene today at 2 p.m. So I imagine that we are really close to proclamation now,” he said over ABS-CBN News Channel.
Asked when the Comelec is expected to get the results of the plebiscite, Jimenez said: “Could be within the week, could be today.”
He said the Saturday plebiscite on Republic Act No. 11259, which seeks to divide Palawan into three provinces, posted at least 60 percent voter turnout.
“For the most part, people expected this to be a low turnout event but again, the reality on the ground proved everyone otherwise,” he added.
According to Jimenez, there were reports of some barangay officials who tried to prevent people from voting but added that such incidents were quickly resolved.
He said there were no reports of violence or disruptions during the voting.
The Comelec earlier declared the plebiscite—the first electoral process conducted in the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic—as a success.
However, the “no” votes on splitting Palawan into three provinces dominated the plebiscite result based on the partial unofficial count of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.
Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez on Monday formally accepted defeat in the plebiscite, as he expressed disappointment over what he claimed was a missed opportunity to improve governance in the province.