Comelec defers canvassing of Maguindanao split plebiscite votes

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deferred until Sunday the canvassing of votes in the plebiscite that would decide on the question of splitting Maguindanao into two provinces, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Saturday.

The Comelec said the Provincial Board Of Canvassers started the canvass on Saturday night but it was immediately suspended as the plebiscite certificate of canvass has yet to arrive.

“Mago-open lang, tapos magsususpend lang, bukas na po ang convening nila… opening lang po yan, walang mangyayaring canvassing ngayon gabi,” Garcia said in a press briefing.

(They will just open it, then the session will be immediately suspended. They will convene tomorrow, no canvassing will happen tonight.)

“Para naman makapagpahinga ang mga members ng board of canvassers. At the same time, kung saka-sakali man mapaaga sila, mapadala agad dito, gusto natin isang bagsakan na lang ang canvassing,” Garcia said when asked for the reason why the canvassing was delayed.

(We did that so the members of the board of canvassers could rest. We also want the canvassing to be done at once.)

Garcia, however assured that the PBOC can proclaim the result of the plebiscite before Sunday noon.

“Gagawan natin ng paraan na bago magtanghali, ay ma-proclaim na natin ang sino ang manalo sa plebisito na ito. Hindi na po hapon kundi bago mag tanghali,” he said.

(We will see to it that we will proclaim the result of this plebiscite before noon.)

The plebiscite seeks to determine if the people of Maguindanao will accept Republic Act No. 11550, a law that will divide the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

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Low voter turnout reported in early hours of Maguindanao split plebiscite

/MUF