MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the start of the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) has high voter turnout even with reported tensions.
Comelec spokesman Director James Jimenez said on Monday that the security forces were in place, especially in Cotabato City, to make sure that there will be no untoward incidents.
“So far mataas ang turnout ng voters,” Jimenez said in an interview on GMA News TV’s News To Go. “The security forces are managing. Nakakatulong din naman ang mga citizens arm natin.”
“In fact, ilang lugar dito sa Cotabato ‘yan nga ang nagiging problema, ang dami-daming botante,” he added. “Definitely mataas ang interest nila sa BOL plebiscite, mataas ang turnout.”
Among the issues that hounded the start of BOL plebiscite were unclaimed ballot boxes in Cotabato City and some teachers not showing up at polling precincts, said Jimenez.
“Meron po tayong mga replacement teachers, pero ang problema nagka-delay tayo ng opening dahil prinoseso pa natin ‘yung mga kapalit nila, mga alternates nila…Medyo may paper work,” Jimenez said.
There were also some flying voters who allegedly flocked the Cotabato City Institute but the policemen were in the area to defuse the tension.
A grenade was also lobbed at the entrance to the Cotabato City National High School-Rojas Site but did not create tension./PN
