Comelec: 84.34% final voters’ turnout for BARMM polls

MANILA, Philippines — The first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections (BPE) registered a final voter turnout of 84.34 percent, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

This was announced by Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia at 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday as the poll body concluded the elections on the same day.

“Final turnout of voters for the first BPE – 84.34 percent,” Garcia told reporters in a Viber message.

Garcia earlier said that the Comelec is delighted to reach over 80% turnout, despite reported incidents of violence and compromised ballots amid the historic elections.

The conduct of elections was delayed in Maluso, Basilan after the Comelec flagged pre-shaded ballots in 36 out of 69 polling precincts in the town. This led the poll body to order the reprinting of ballots at the National Printing Office in Quezon City to be transported to Zamboanga, and from Zamboanga to Basilan.

The ballots arrived in Basilan around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, while the elections resumed in Maluso town on Tuesday. /cb