Violence delays polls in Datu Odin Sinsuat; Comelec urged to extend voting hours

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Election (Comelec) was urged to extend voting hours in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte after a five-hour delay in the opening of polling precincts due to an armed encounter on Monday, May 12.

In a social media post, election watchdog Kontra Daya called on the poll body to extend the voting period by an hour or until 8 p.m.

“The more than 80,000 voters there should be given more time and they should not be disenfranchised due to forces beyond their control,” the group said.

Police officers replaced volunteers and took over as Special Electoral Board (SEB) of Datu Odin Sinsuat after tension erupted and gunshots were reported between rival supporters in the town’s polling center.

In a briefing, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the incident happened near the municipal hall compound.

Datu Odin Sinsuat was earlier placed under Comelec control after a spate of violent incidents, including the ambush of an election officer and her husband in March and the killing of a candidate’s lawyer and her fiancé in the same month.

READ: Comelec now in control of Maguindanao town over poll violence 

The PNP said it also recorded other shooting incidents on election day in other areas.

Two people were killed while two sustained injuries in a shooting incident in Silay City, Negros Occidental. A pursuit operation against the suspects is underway.

Meanwhile, at least one individual was reported injured after reported harassment from supporters of a local politician in Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.