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Maguindanao plebiscite gets underway

Voters flocked early on Saturday to voting centers in Maguindanao to take part in a plebiscite that would decide if the province will be split into two — Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

At 7 a.m., voting centers opened.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said everything is ready

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.

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 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will secure the conduct of the plebiscite, Laudiangco said.

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. —KG, GMA News