MILF) Chairman Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim has his index finger inked after casting his vote at the Barangay Simuay Crossing Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao during the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite on Monday, 21 January 2019. (Video grab)

The plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Cotabato City, Isabela City in Basilan, and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) closed at 3 p.m. on Monday and ballot counting started in polling precincts.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim cast his vote at the Barangay Simuay Crossing Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao watched by thousands of locals and MILF supporters.

It was a historic act for Ebrahim as it was the first time he ever voted, the MILF leader said in a press conference later.

Ebrahim said he is optimistic the “yes” vote will win which will pave way for the replacement of the ARMM with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). If that happens, he said the international community, including United Nations agencies and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, will help fund the setting up and operation of a new BARMM government in case the government’s allotted fund for it and the ARMM funding this year will not be enough.

Poll watchers and ballot counters claimed a big turnout from the estimated 2.8 million registered voters expected to cast votes of “yes” or “no” to the BOL on Monday. They said voting was generally peaceful.

A separate plebiscite for Lanao del Norte excluding Iligan City, North Cotabato, and the 28 areas which petitioned for inclusion into BARMM is scheduled on 6 February.