MARAWI CITY -- Polling precincts in Lanao del Sur -- including this city --opened little past 7 a.m. due to inclement weather but Monday's (January 21) voting for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) proceeded smoothly, officials said.
Lawyer Allan Kadon, provincial head of Commission on Election (Comelec), said no untoward incidents were recorded throughout the province.
"As far as Marawi is concerned, there was rain earlier in the morning so teachers had a delay (reporting to the polling precincts). Some started at 8 a.m., but the rest started earlier," Kadon said.
Chief Supt. Madid Paitao, Police Region Office deputy director for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said that they have not recorded any election-related violence in Lanao del Sur.
"Prior to the elections, police have been deployed in the precincts and checkpoints," Paitao said.
An incident involving a man whose firearm was confiscated by the police in Balabagan town did not affect the peace and order situation in the whole province, he added.
Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, also said the situation in the province was peaceful.
"We are glad to see that there were no untoward incidents happened, and there were many voters who turned out (to vote)," he said.
As early as 11 a.m., Comelec officials said the towns of Tubaran, Kapatagan, and Butig already completed the voting, way ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline. Lanao del Sur has 2,833 precincts in 1,150 barangays, totaling 143 polling centers.
Zia Alonto Adiong, first district Lanao del Sur Assemblyman for ARMM, said he expects a win for the "yes" votes in the province.
"The BOL is was not created just recently -- it was a result of a 20-year struggle of the Moro people," he said. (PNA)
