COTABATO CITY – Voting in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte finally began at 10 a.m. Monday after a five-hour delay allegedly caused by United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) supporters blocking the distribution of election materials, officials said.
Maguindanao del Norte election supervisor Mohammad Mutia said protesters barred military vehicles from leaving the town hall until police replaced teachers as electoral board members.
“Election paraphernalia is now en route to precincts,” Mutia told reporters as 800 security personnel maintained order in the Commission on Elections-controlled municipality.
The UBJP group had expressed concerns about potential cheating through teacher-poll workers.
Voting was originally scheduled to start as early as 5 a.m.
