Some 11,000 voters in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao would be allowed to cast their ballots for the national and local midterm elections on Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body will allow at least 12 precincts to continue the polls after failing to cast votes on election day itself.

“Kahit 11,000 lang ‘yun, kahit na ang botong involved at kahit maaaring hindi maka-apekto sa results ng national at local, wala po tayong iiwan na mga kababayan natin. Dapat makakaboto pa rin sila (Even if it’s only 11,000 and their votes won’t affect the outcome of the national and local elections, we will not leave any of our felloe Filipinos behind. They should be able to vote),” he said in an interview at the Comelec head office in Manila.

“Baka abutin ‘yan ng mga 9 hanggang 10 o’clock matatapos na po tayo. Actually, isang buong araw ‘yon pero kung matatapos na ng umaga by tomorrow wala naman tayong problema (It might take until 9 or 10 o’clock. Actually, it’s for the whole day but if we finish early, there’s no problem with it),” he said.

Voting in Datu Odin Sinsuat began 10 a.m. Monday after a five-hour delay caused by United Bangsamoro Justice Party supporters blocking the distribution of election materials.

Maguindanao del Norte election supervisor Mohammad Mutia earlier said protesters barred military vehicles from leaving the town hall until police replaced teachers as electoral board members. (PNA)