Voting at several polling precincts in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has yet to begin as of 11 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025.

In a report by Katrina Son of GMA Integrated News, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said Datu Odin Sinsuat is one of the areas they are monitoring closely.

Voting in the said town has not started, as of 11 a.m., because members of the electoral board have been unable to leave the municipal hall and deliver election paraphernalia to the polling centers, as voters have reportedly blocked the building.

Residents are allegedly not in favor of the members of the electoral board.

As a result, voting in 104 clustered precincts covering around 82,500 voters was affected.

The poll body has already requested the assistance of the Philippine Marines, whose members immediately appealed to residents to allow the electoral board to proceed.

Authorities are investigating the group responsible for the blockade outside the municipal hall.

Laudiangco said residents were advised to pursue legal action if they have concerns about the electoral board.

“Sa ngayon ay nakikipag usap pa rin yung marine ground commander doon sa mga tao na nakaamas sa harapan ng ating Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal hall. Sinasang-ayunan naman po din namin ang ginawala nila dahil ayaw namin na may dumanak na dugo pinapakiusapan po sila na kung mayroon silang question sa mga electoral board daanin ito sa legal na proseso. Mag-file ng complaint sa Comelec pai-imbesigahan natin pero hindi para pigilin yung proseso ng halalan,” Laudiangco said.

“In the first place, meron din naman po silang mga watchers so mababantayan naman po nila ang pagsasasgawan ng bawat halalan doon sa bawat 104 na clustered precincts na magkakaroon dapat ng botohan ngayon,” he added.

Laudiangco also said that if necessary, COMELEC is prepared to extend voting hours to ensure that the elections proceed.

However, if negotiations with the residents will not work and voting cannot push through, the poll body may consider declaring a failure of elections in the town.

“Hanggat maaari pakiusapan, maisagawa, extend ang voting hours pero kung talagang hindi oobra maaring mag-declare ng failure of elections at mag-deklara po kami ng election kung kailan man po ito maisasagawa. Malawak ang kapangyarihan ng COMELEC sa mga bagay na ito at hindi po bago ang sitawyon na ito sa amin,” Laudiangco said.