COTABATO CITY (January 22) — The plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic law on January 21, was generally peaceful, says Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
BIAF Spokesperson Von Al Haq said the plebiscite was generally peaceful since no major untoward incident happened.
“The massive fraud practiced before was, at least, lessened as both the intellectual and the ordinary voters were eager for peace to ultimately reign in this part of the region,” Al Haq said.
Samsodin Amella, Maguindanao Provincial Coordinator for the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), confirmed that he did not receive any report on irregularities or any untoward incident in the different towns in Maguindanao during the conduct of the plebiscite.
Amella said that only a minor problem were encountered by a few voters in some areas like they were initially hard up in looking for their names in the voters’ list posted outside the voting precincts especially the new registrants.
“But they eventually found their names,” Amella said.
The plebiscite was conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ratify the BOL and determine the actual territorial jurisdiction of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Another plebiscite will be held in February 6 in the seven towns in North Cotabato and the province of Lanao del Norte except Iligan City.
The North Cotabato towns where a plebiscite will be conducted in February 6 are Tulunan, Kabacan, Carmen, Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap and Pigkawayan.
– Taher Solaiman/NewsLIne.ph
