Polls delayed in some Isabela villages

ILAGAN, Isabela – The delay in the delivery of election paraphernalia in this northern Luzon province for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Monday has resulted in the postponement of elections and has irked members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), most of them teachers. As of posting time, the distribution of election paraphernalia was ongoing in large towns such as Ilagan, which is composed of 91 barangays (villages). Because of the delay, the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ordered the BEIs to open the precincts at 1 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. for those who can reach their destinations before 12 noon. Those who will reach their assignments Monday afternoon will be allowed to conduct the elections on October 26 or 27, at their discretion, according to provincial election supervisor Manuel Castillo. "This is an unforeseen event—the late delivery of election paraphernalia from Comelec central office, so we have to issue this order to prevent chaos among the voters and the BEIs," Castillo said. Voting in some villages started a few hours later than the 6 a.m. original schedule. Many of the teachers have been waiting for the election paraphernalia since Sunday morning. “Teachers have been sleepless and lacking now in energy for waiting too long," according to Norman Nicasio, a BEI member. - Joel Nueva/KBK, GMANews.TV