THE special elections in 12 barangays of Tubaran, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday, May 24, opened smoothly, as all 15 clustered precincts were able to commence with the voting sans any incidents.

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the special polls in Lanao del Sur commenced as scheduled as the clustered precincts opened voting between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.

"Everything is okay. The 12 barangays and 15 clustered precincts all opened and functioned," said Comelec Commissioner George Garcia in a message to reporters.

He said the clustered precincts did not encounter any problems with the automated election system (AES).

"(There is) not a single glitch or issue as of this time," said Garcia.

Earlier, the Comelec declared failure of elections in several clustered precincts in 14 barangays scattered in the municipalities of Butig, Bindayan, and Tubaran in Lanao del Sur.

Subsequently, the Comelec en banc set the special elections in Tubaran for May 24 with 6,921 registered voters participating. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)