Comelec: Voting in Maluso, Basilan may continue until Tuesday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said voting in Maluso, Basilan, for the first parliamentary elections may continue until Tuesday following the discovery of pre-shaded ballots.

During his visit to the Central Pilot Elementary School in Cotabato City, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body is still waiting for the arrival of newly printed ballots before deciding whether to extend voting hours.

"We can extend the election until tomorrow, but that is just a continuation, not a resetting or postponement of the election," Garcia said.

"But in the meantime, let's wait for the arrival of the ballots," he added.

Garcia said the newly printed and verified ballots were expected to arrive in Maluso town between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The Comelec earlier placed Maluso under its control after 36 of the 86 precincts were compromised due to pre-shaded ballots.

An area may be placed under Comelec control when there is intense political rivalry between or among candidates, political factions, or parties, or when paramilitary forces, private armies, or terrorist groups are present.

This means Comelec will take over the direct command of local government workers and police officers in the area.

Garcia earlier said authorities had details on the alleged culprit and that he had ordered the reprinting of ballots for the affected precincts.

Teachers barred in Al-Barka, Basilan

Comelec also reported that voting in Al-Barka, Basilan, had resumed after teachers were initially prevented from leaving the municipal hall.

"Earlier, there was some delay in Al-Barka, Basilan, because of a misunderstanding among supporters of different camps, who initially did not allow the equipment to be brought out," Garcia said.

"However, after we intervened, they agreed and voting has continued. We have settled the issue, and voting is now underway," he added.

Earlier, armed groups reportedly prevented teachers from proceeding to their designated polling centers.

The teachers were later escorted by police officers and soldiers to their polling centers.— MCG, GMA News