MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- The city here is now gearing up for the conduct of a plebiscite to ratify the establishment of its two new villages.

The poll shall transpire on March 18 to determine whether or not Brgy. Boganga must be divided into two with the second village to be called Brgy. Boganga II while another village is also eyed to be created out of the existing Brgy. Sagonsongan which shall then be called Brgy. Datu Diligan.

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner-in-charge for Plebiscite Aimee Ferolino shared that security and city government’s preparations, the readiness of teachers, and the availability of all supplies were tackled and marked all set.

With this, they are positive that the plebiscite will be successful.

“We found out na (that) we are ready sa lahat ng (with all the) deliverables. Nagawa na ang lahat na dapat iprepare. Maayos na (Everything that needs to be prepared was done. It is organized). We are very hopeful that we will have a good result tomorrow kasi wala na tayong inaantay na gagawin pang preparasyon (since we do not have to wait for something to be prepared),” said Ferolino.

The plebiscite commissioner in charge detailed that the poll would be manual wherein voters would need to look for their precincts just like in barangay elections.

She stated that the electoral boards would also have to look for the voters’ names in the official list while ballots would be given to be filled out and deposited in the ballot boxes.

Ferolino added that upon the closing of the plebiscite, ballots would be counted and the board of canvassers would proclaim before midnight what has won based on their tally.

The COMELEC hoped that the event would garner over 50% turnout.

As such, Mayor Majul Gandamra called on his concerned people to exercise their right to suffrage by casting their votes.

“Lumabas tayo at iexpress natin ang ating saloobin. Bumuto tayo ng (Let us go out and express our minds. Let us vote) “yes” for the ratification of two barangays and we also have to vote “no” kung sa tingin natin hindi siya makakatulong sa atin (if we think this will not help us),” he said.

COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, on the other hand, stressed that the plebiscite would manifest democracy in the country.

“What matters most is we are united in ensuring that democracy will always be alive in any part and corner of the country. Iyan ang pinakaimportante (That is what is important),” he said.

The COMELEC noted that the plebiscite will run from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. (CRG/PIA Lanao del Sur)