Marawi plebiscite generally peaceful — Comelec

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 24) — The Marawi plebiscite held last week recorded no violent incident, the chairperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

"Wala po (None)," Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said during a public briefing when asked if the poll body received reports of any untoward incident related to the plebiscite.

"Napakaayos, napakalinis, at napakabilis ang resulta ng Marawi plebiscite," he added.

[Translation: The Marawi plebiscite was very orderly, fast, and had clean results.]

On March 18, the plebiscite allowed the creation of two new barangays in the southern city of Marawi.

READ: Voters in Marawi say yes to two new barangays

Garcia previously said the result showed that "democracy is alive here in Marawi City."

In May 2017, Islamic State-linked gunmen seized the city and waged war against Philippine military forces until October 2017. Many residents were displaced during that time, which led to an increase in population of barangays Boganga and Sagonsongan.

"Kapag 'yan ay nahati na, bahala na ang city government kung sino muna ang mamamahala sa bagong barangay hanggang sa makapag-halal sa October 30," he said.

[Translation: Once they are divided, it will be up to the city government to decide who will manage the new barangays until elections are held on October 30.]