Palawan plebiscite hangs due to COVID

MANILA, Philippines — The referendum for the division of Palawan into three provinces may push through on May 11 as scheduled, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday. 

In a post on social media, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the poll body has yet to decide whether to postpone the plebiscite or not due to the enhanced community quarantine being implemented in Luzon to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“@COMELEC suspended preparation for Palawan plebiscite but plebiscite not postponed yet,” Guanzon said on Twitter.

She said the poll body is waiting for developments on the COVID-19 situation before deciding on the matter, adding it may be able to decide this month.  

The quarantine period will end on April 14, but the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases is studying whether to extend it or not.

During the plebiscite, voters will decide on the proposed division of Palawan into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur.