Maguindanao plebiscite set September 17

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) set the plebiscite for the division of Maguindanao into two provinces on September 17.

Based on Resolution 10797, the Comelec said the referendum for the split of the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur will be held on September 17.

"The Commission on Elections hereby sets the date of the plebiscite to ratify the division of the province of Maguindanao into two provinces, namely, Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, on September 17, 2022," said the Comelec.

On Plebiscite Day, the casting of votes will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the counting to immediately take place after its closing.

The Municipal and Provincial Board of Canvassers is then set to convene and canvass the votes around 6 p.m. of the same day.

The poll body said the plebiscite period is set to run from August 16 to September 24.

During the plebiscite period, it will be prohibited to carry firearms and other deadly weapons, as well as maintain strike forces.

It will also be prohibited during the plebiscite period to suspend local elective officials, as well as transfer officials and employees in the civil service.

The campaign period will be from August 16 to September 15.

During the campaign period, there is expected to hold of barangay assemblies, fora, or "pulong pulongs."

A ban on public works construction, hiring and promoting employees, release of public funds, and removal and destruction of plebiscite propaganda materials will also be in effect during the campaign period.

Under Republic Act 11550, Maguindanao province is being divided into two: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

The division, however, requires the approval of the majority of the votes cast by the Maguindanao voters in a plebiscite to be conducted and supervised by the Comelec.

Back in the May 2022 elections, Maguindanao has a total of 939,011 registered voters. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1932986/manila/local-news/maguindanao-plebiscite-set-september-17