Long lines of voters.
BALANGA CITY — The provincial office of the Commission on Elections here said that voting in Bataan Monday was running smoothly, and despite slight untoward incidents and minor glitches in the vote counting machines, these were properly addressed to.
Lawyer Cristina Garcia, provincial elections supervisor, said voting continues until 7 in the evening only and will not be extended although some VCMs malfunctioned.
“May reported na medyo nasirang VCMs sa Balanga City at bayan ng Limay, pero na-address naman kaya tuloy tuloy ang botohan hanggang 7 p.m. lamang dahil ito ang voting hours. Alam na ang mga dapat gawin sa mga presinto,” she said.
“Continuous ang botohan hanggang 7 o’clock and we encourage everybody to exercise the right to vote at panatilihin natin maging maayos, maging safe at accurate ang ating pagboto dito sa Bataan,” Garcia added.
She said their office also received reports of some minor untoward incidents between some supporters of rival candidates in some areas but these were given proper attention. “Well instructed naman ang mga municipal election officers at Philippine National Police.”
An hour before voting started, long lines were observed in many polling areas and the number of voters grew until before lunch.
Voting started at exactly 6 a.m. Senior citizens and persons with disability were given priority and assigned a vacant classroom where they waited for their turn to vote like at the Samal South Elementary School in Barangay Santa Lucia in Samal town.
Despite the long lines, voting was smooth and orderly and voters appeared to be very eager and patient to cast their votes.
