Maguindanao plebiscite today; high turnout seen

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting a high voter turnout in the plebiscite in Maguindanao today to ratify the division of the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said the poll body sees a turnout of at least 56 percent, citing two previous plebiscites with significant voter turnout.

“We hope, if not higher, na ganito din kataas yung voter turnout sa Maguindanao plebiscite because we would like as many voters to participate in this activity,” Ferolino told reporters on Thursday.

Comelec executive director for operations Teofisto Elnas Jr. noted that the plebiscite in Palawan had a 62.5 percent voter turnout.

Elnas said fair weather would allow more voters to participate in the political exercise.

Voting period is from 7 a.m. to 3 p. m.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed in May 2021 Republic Act 1150, which divides Maguindanao into two provinces.

Comelec acting spokesman Rex Laudiangco said there are 545 barangays with 818,790 registered voters, 4,601 precincts and 1,669 voting centers in Maguindanao.

The provincial government allotted a total of P89,177,012.10 for the plebiscite.