(Eagle News)– The Commission on Elections has postponed the canvassing of votes cast by residents of certain areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite.
The Comelec on Thursday, Feb. 7, said the canvassing would take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11, instead, as the certificates of canvass have yet to reach the Comelec main office in Manila.
On Feb. 6, residents of six municipalities of Lanao del Norte—Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagaloan and Tangkal—and 39 barangays in Aleosan, Carmen, Cabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, and Pikit in North Cotabato—voted on whether or not to be included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao proposed by the BOL.
The Comelec earlier deemed the BOL ratified, following a majority yes vote for ratification of the same by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the first round of the plebiscite in January.
The results of the plebiscite in the selected areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato will determine what additional territories will be included in the BARMM, which is given more autonomy than the ARMM under the BOL.