By Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
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The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that everything is ready for the Maguindanao division plebiscite tomorrow, September 17.
At a press briefing on Thursday, September 15, COMELEC Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said that all the necessary supplies and paraphernalia have been deployed and all the personnel who will serve in tomorrow’s plebiscite have undergone and completed their training.
COMELEC Deputy Executive Director for Operations Teopisto Elnas Jr. said that 5,718 public school teachers will function as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in 1,669 clustered precincts across 467 voting centers.
He added that two personnel from the Philippine National Police will be deployed in each voting center while 2,961 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be providing assistance.
Meanwhile, in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday, September 16, COMELEC acting Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said they are expecting a high turnout from the 939,011 registered voters in Maguindanao.
“We are expecting, hopefully, we will achieve 60 percent of [voting turnout]. Traditionally, the plebiscite voting is around that figure,” he said.
Voting for the plebiscite, which will be conducted manually, will begin at 7:00am and will end at 3:00pm. However, if there are still voters in line within the 30-meter radius of the polling precinct, they will still be accommodated.
Maguindanaons will decide whether to ratify or reject Republic Act No. 11550, the law that divided Maguindanao into two new provinces, namely Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
If the “yes” votes get the majority, this will be the composition of the new provinces:
Maguindanao del Norte
Datu Odin Sinsuat (capital)
Barira
Buldon
Datu Blah T. Sinsuat
Kabuntalan
Matanog
Northern Kabuntalan
Parang
Sultan Kudarat
Sultan Mastura
Sultan Sumagka (Talitay)
Upi
Maguindanao del Sur
Buluan (capital)
Ampatuan
Datu Abdullah Sangki
Datu Anggal Midtimbang
Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
Datu Montawal
Datu Paglas
Datu Piang
Datu Salibo
Datu Saudi Ampatuan
Datu Unsay
Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun
Guindulungan
Mamasapano
Mangudadatu
Pagalungan
Paglat
Pandag
Rajah Buayan
Shariff Aguak
Shariff Saydona Mustapha
Sultan sa Barongis
South Upi
Talayan
Cotabato City, an independent component city of Maguindanao, will become part of Maguindanao del Norte’s legislative district.
The votes will be canvassed at Buluan, and results will be known as early as Sunday midnight, September 18.