Turtle Islands vote may delay counting

A slight delay is expected in the release of the overall results of today’s elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) due to the anticipated slow arrival of ballots from remote Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Travel time from Turtle Islands takes about 17 hours and we have to take that into consideration before we could
finally declare the winners,” Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said.

Turtle Islands appear to be living up to its name, observers said.

Aside from Turtle Islands, Melo said there are several remote areas in the ARMM that are difficult to reach and thus could slightly delay counting of the official results of the polls despite the use of automated counting machines.

Melo said that other than the cost of the automated machines, transportation of machines and ballot boxes accounted for the larger share of ARMM poll expenses.

Melo said the Comelec is concerned over the difficulty of transporting the machines and ballot boxes more than the prevailing hostility in North Cotabato and isolated areas in the ARMM.

Melo expressed confidence that the counting of election results will be done and the winners be known within 48 hours despite the expected minor delay in the arrival of ballots from Turtle Islands and other remote areas.

“With the automated machines, the counting can be completed in 36 hours after the closing of the precincts but due to delay in the arrival of ballots from far-flung areas, we can proclaim the winners in 48 hours,” Melo pointed out.

The Comelec expects at least 50 percent of the 1.5 million registered voters in the ARMM to cast their votes and participate in the country’s first automated elections.

“At the most, we expect one million of the 1.5 million voters to vote in the elections,” Melo said.

Melo earlier reported that most of the automated machines are already in the counting centers in Basilan and were properly sealed while waiting for the elections.

“The machines are properly sealed and ready to be reopened at the start of the voting at 7 a.m. today,” Melo reported.