The provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday the election has been smooth despite minor untoward incidents and glitches in the vote counting machines (VCM) that were properly addressed.
Provincial elections supervisor, lawyer Cristina Garcia, said voting would continue until 7 p.m. without an extension.
“May reported na medyo nasirang VCMs sa Balanga City at bayan ng Limay pero na-address naman kaya tuloy tuloy ang botohan. Hanggang 7 p.m. lamang dahil ito ang voting hours. Alam na ang mga dapat gawin sa mga presinto (There were reports of minor defects on VCMs in Balanga City and the town of Limay but they were already addressed. Thus, the voting continues until 7 p.m. only because these are the voting hours. Those who man the precincts already know what to do),” Garcia said in an interview.
She urged her province mates to exercise their right to vote and keep the balloting process orderly, safe, and accurate.
Garcia noted that their office also received reports of some minor untoward incidents between supporters of rival candidates in some areas but these were given proper attention.
“Well instructed naman ang mga municipal election officers at Philippine National Police (The Philippine National Police and the municipal election officers are well instructed),” she said.
An hour before voting began, long lines were observed in many polling areas and the number of voters grew until before noontime.
Voting started at exactly 6 a.m.
At the Samal South Elementary School in Barangay Santa Lucia, Samal town, senior citizens and persons with disability were given priority and were assigned a vacant classroom where they waited for their turn to vote.
Despite the long queues, the process was smooth and orderly and voters seemed to be very eager and patient to exercise their right to suffrage.
Source: Philippines News Agency
