Marawi plebiscite posts near-100% voter turnout

MANILA, Philippines — An almost 100 percent voter turnout was recorded during a plebiscite that created two additional barangays in Marawi on Saturday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

The poll body said there was a “resounding collective voice of ‘yes’ from the 1,472 registered voters in the villages of Sagonsongan and Boganga.”

Voters approved the creation of barangays Datu Dalidigan and Boganga II.

In Barangay Sagonsongan, 476 of 480 registered voters cast their votes at the Bito Elementary School, posting a voter turnout of 99.17 percent.

Of the 476 voters, 99.37 percent or 473 voted “yes” for the creation of Barangay Datu Dalidigan. Three or .63 percent voted otherwise.

In Barangay Boganga, 950 of 992 registered voters went out to vote at the Kilala Elementary School, posting a 95.76 percent voter turnout.

Of the 950 who voted, 99.79 percent or 948 approved the creation of Barangay Boganga II.

The creation of new barangays was prompted by an increase in the population in villages, where residents displaced by the Marawi siege relocated.

“The high voter turnout showed a decisive victory for the survivors of the Marawi siege, most of whom were internally displaced people, who will be residents and constituents of Barangays Boganga II and Datu Dalidigan,” Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said.