MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday conducted a simulation of the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) set in January 2019.
According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, the activity was conducted at the poll body’s main office in Intramuros, Manila to familiarize themselves with the upcoming plebiscite.
“It will be the first time that various plebiscite questions will be used since areas not presently included in the Bangsamoro core territories are now being proposed to be included,” Jimenez said in an interview.
Several employees of the poll body participated in the activity.
“The simulation was necessary because different areas have to have different questions on the ballot. It’s not a matter of just asking ‘are you in favor of the BOL or not?” Jimenez added.
He noted that the results of the BOL plebiscite, which is set to be held on January 21, 2019, will be out in three days.
“We expect to know the results within 72 hours since we are only talking of a small number,” Jimenez said.
The estimated number of voters is from 2.5 million to 2.8 million.
The territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is comprised of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao; six municipalities in Lanao del Norte; 39 barangays in North Cotabato; Cotabato City in Maguindanao; and Isabela City in Basilan.