(UPDATE) 54 M voters turn out for barangay elections

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Some 54 million voters in 42,000 barangays poured to polling booths across the country today to choose barangay chairpersons and councilors.

There are 94,124 candidates vying for the 42,028 barangay chairmen positions and 715,012 betting for the 29,196 barangay councilmen posts nationwide.

Apart from polling centers, "Voting in the Malls" project was also launched with an aim to make polling places more accessible to senior citizens and voters with disabilities.

Nevertheless, voting in South Cotabato province was hampered by severe floods. Polls in Zamboanga City and Bohol were also postponed to Nov. 25 due to the standoff between government forces and anti-government Moro National Liberation Front, and the damages caused by a strong earthquake which killed at least 215 people so far.

The voting is expected to end by 3 p.m. Monday, which will be followed by manual counting and canvassing.

Voters were reminded that the liquor ban, which took effect at midnight Sunday, will remain in force until midnight Monday.

The government urged the public to "go out and vote in Monday's elections," saying "it is performing a voter's civic duty."

As elections in the Philippines are usually marred by violence, police and the armed forces have deployed additional manpower in areas infected by anti-government rebels and terrorist groups.

At least 22 candidates and supporters have been killed and 27 others have been wounded in election-related violence over the past month ahead of the current village polls, national police spokesman Reuben Theodore Sindac was quoted as saying.