Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco (File photo)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is working with several government agencies to ensure the peaceful holding of the plebiscite in the province of Maguindanao on Sept. 17.
In a statement Wednesday, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division and the Maguindanao police have not reported any untoward incident more than a week before the plebiscite.
He said the poll body is closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in making sure that the upcoming plebiscite is free from disturbances.
“We are hoping for this peaceful and orderly situation to prevail until the completion of the electoral exercise, as the Comelec, together with the AFP and PNP solidify its Joint Plebiscite Security Plan,” Laudiangco said.
The Comelec official reported that all accountable forms including the ballots numbering 818,790 have already been printed.
He said ballot printing was completed on Aug. 20, while the printing of all other forms was finished on Aug. 24.
The other forms include Plebiscite Returns - 1,660 sets (one set of three copies); Certificate of Canvass and Proclamation - one set of four copies; Certificate of Canvass - 38 sets (one set of three copies); Statement of Votes by Precinct - 120 (one set of three copies) and Summary of Votes - 37 sets (one set of three copies).
“All items have already been verified by the Reception and Verification Committee. Ballots and other forms and supplies are already en route to Buluan,” Laudiangco added.
The plebiscite seeks to ratify Republic Act 11550, which will divide Maguindanao into two separate and independent provinces -- Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
The Maguindanao provincial government has allocated a total budget of PHP89.17 million for the plebiscite. (PNA)
