Fewer voters in 2nd BOL plebiscite seen due to Jolo blasts

FILE: COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez holds a press conference at the Centralized #BSKE2018 Command Center.‬ (Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees a decrease in the participation of voters in the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on February 6 following Sunday’s twin blasts that rocked a church in Jolo, Sulu, its spokesperson said Wednesday.

“In the sense that there will be those who will be worried of their safety, of course, there will be. (However), it will really be a question of whether or not they are going to be brave enough to express what they want,” James Jimenez said in a press briefing.

Jimenez, however, expressed confidence that the incident will not be enough to pressure voters to change their votes.

“When they do find themselves at the polling places, they will still vote the way they want. And that is what is really important,” he said.

Another plebiscite on the BOL will be held on February 6, where 673,983 registered voters are expected to participate in Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, and several municipalities and barangays in North Cotabato.

At the same time, Jimenez said they will be waiting for the recommendations of local poll officers and the Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding their next action.

On Sunday, two explosions rocked the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral that resulted in the death of 22 people and the wounding of 100 others.