All set for Maguindanao plebiscite —Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said everything is ready for the conduct of the plebiscite in Maguindanao on Saturday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Comelec acting spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said 818,790 registered voters are expected to cast their votes in 467 voting centers in 1,669 clustered precincts for the plebiscite.

“Nakahanda na po lahat ng aming preparasyon para sa isasagawang plebisito, paghahati po ng Maguindanao sa dalawang lalawigan ng Maguindanao del Norte at Maguindanao del Sur,” he said.

(All is set for the plebiscite that will seek to divide Maguindanao into two provinces, Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.)

The voters will vote either "yes" or "no" during the plebiscite, which will be conducted manually, according to Laudiangco.

He said there is already enough number of teachers who will serve as plebiscite committee members. In case of absences, police personnel will be tapped to replace them.

Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Teopisto Elnas Jr. on Thursday said 5,718 public school teachers will fill up the clustered precincts that will function for the plebiscite.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will secure the conduct of the plebiscite, Laudiangco said.

According to Elnas, the PNP will deploy at least two personnel per voting center, while the AFP will deploy 2,961 for assistance.

Commissioner Aimee Ferolino on Thursday said all supplies and election paraphernalia have already been distributed to the field and all concerned officers are ready for the plebiscite.

Voting will be from 7 a.m. up to 3 p.m.

Under Republic Act 11550, the two Maguindanao provinces will be created upon approval by the majority of the votes cast by the voters of the affected areas in a plebiscite to be conducted and supervised by Comelec. —KBK, GMA News