MANILA, Philippines — The canvassing of votes for party-list groups will resume on Wednesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.
The canvassing of votes will still be conducted at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“Please be notified that the Commission on Elections, sitting en banc as the National Board of Canvassers will reconvene its session at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon on May 25, 2022 to continue the canvassing of votes for the Party-List groups at the Forum 2, Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines,” a copy of the notice sent to reporters stated.
The proclamation of winning party-list groups was put on hold as the Comelec was waiting for the results of the special elections in the 12 barangays of Tubaran, Lanao del Sur.
The special elections were held on May 24 after declaration of failure of polls due to violence, threats, and intimidation.
Comelec Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Election Director Ray Sumalipao said that the special polls in 15 precincts closed at exactly 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The poll body is eyeing to proclaim winning party-list groups by May 26 or 27 after the transmission of the certificates of canvass.
The proclamation of triumphant party-list groups is subject to the sufficiency of votes. If votes from Tubaran, Lanao del Sur, are enough to complete the 63 seats and determine their standing, the proclamation will proceed, the Comelec said.
Otherwise, a special election will be conducted in Shanghai, China, as 1,991 registered voters were not able to cast their votes there due to a lockdown triggered by a COVID-19 surge.
READ: Special elections in COVID-hit Shanghai to push through, says Comelec